Wycombe Wanderers host Bolton Wanderers in League One on Saturday afternoon, in a match between two teams that will be hoping to be in contention for promotion at the end of the season.
The hosts are seventh in the table, three points off the all-important top six, while the visitors are up in third place, still in with a shout of automatic promotion if they go on a good run.
Match preview
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Wycombe finished sixth in the 2021-22 campaign, before coming up short against Sunderland at Wembley in the playoff final, and it is likely they will be battling to finish in a similar position again this time around.
It is only the Chairboys' recent form which has given them any hope of going one better this season, winning seven of their last nine League One games, including all of their last four.
An aspect of his side's game that manager Gareth Ainsworth will be particularly pleased with is their defence, which has improved dramatically in recent weeks, keeping clean sheets in four out of their last six matches.
Wycombe's forwards have certainly played their part too, however, given that they are averaging more than two goals a game in their last six outings, having scored 13 goals, with three of these coming in a vital win against promotion-chasing Derby County.
It was not such a difficult test for the Chairboys in their last match, coming up against 22nd-placed Accrington Stanley, but they managed to get the job done in comfortable fashion, running out 2-0 winners at the Wham Stadium.
Bolton have also been in very impressive form in recent weeks, winning their last five League One matches, a record that no other side in the division has been able to match.
What must be even more pleasing for Ian Evatt is that his side have only conceded one goal in this time, while also racking up an impressive 5-0 win away against Peterborough United, a team going for the playoffs.
In fact, the Trotters have won their last two games 5-0, having also defeated MK Dons by the same scoreline in their last match, with five different players managing to get on the scoresheet, highlighting the threat that so many of their players pose going forward.
Although it was back in August, Bolton ran out comfortable winners in the reverse fixture, defeating Wycombe 3-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium, putting to an end a very poor record, having lost their previous four competitive meetings.
As such, the Wanderers will be full of confidence heading into Saturday's game, and they will know a win could see them make up ground on second-placed Sheffield Wednesday, who they are currently six points behind.
Team News
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Wycombe defender Alfie Mawson announced his retirement earlier this week, calling time on his career at the age of just 29 due to repeated injury problems, in what came as shock news.
The centre-back has made 20 appearances for the Chairboys this season, but Ainsworth will have to rely on the likes of Chris Forino-Joseph and Jack Grimmer to take on the defensive responsibilities for the rest of the season, both of whom are likely to start on Saturday.
Jordan Willis may not be available after the centre-back cramped up in the second half against Accrington, limiting Ainsworth's choices at the back even further.
Bolton have a couple of injury problems to contend with themselves, as both Cameron Jerome and Conor Bradley have suffered back spasms on the training ground this week, and while the issues are not believed to be serious, they are enough to keep them both out of contention.
Bradley has not been included for the last two games anyway, with Gethin Jones instead taking on the Liverpool loanee's responsibilities on the right of defence, while Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo are poised to lead the line in the absence of Jerome.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; McCarthy, Grimmer, Willis, Jacobson; Scowen, Wing, Campbell, Wheeler, McCleary; Vokes
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Toal, Santos, Mbete; Jones, Morley, Dempsey, John, Shoretire; Charles, Adeboyejo
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Considering both teams are in such fantastic form, it is too difficult to split them, and so we expect them to play out a draw on Saturday, with both teams extending their unbeaten run.
Given just how impressive Bolton have been in recent weeks, winning their last two matches 5-0, if either team does manage to take all three points, it is likely to be them, but it will be a far tougher game than the one back in August.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
