In a potentially pivotal clash at both ends of the table, Wycombe Wanderers are set to host Leyton Orient at Adams Park in their 12th League One game of the season.
Wycombe are in third place with 23 points and are only five points from first-placed Birmingham City with a game in hand, while the visitors are fifth last with 11 points in 20th place and are only one place and one point above the relegation zone.
Match preview
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The hosts have performed excellently in their first 11 league games, picking up four more points than they did at the same stage last season.
Wycombe have conceded 16 goals in League One, two more than they had after 11 matches in 2023-24, but they have also scored 23 times so far, seven more than they managed by this point last term.
In their last match on October 22, the Blues beat Burton Albion 3-2, relying on an 81st-minute winner from Daniel Udoh to claim all three points.
Manager Matt Bloomfield said that while he is concerned about the amount of goals his team are conceding, he is thrilled that his players are entertaining to watch.
Bloomfield's side have won six of their seven most recent league matches, scoring 14 times but keeping just one clean sheet in that period.
Wycombe's home record is similarly impressive considering the club have won their last four matches at Adams Park, with their only loss in their five home matches coming in a narrow 3-2 defeat against Birmingham in August.
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As for the visitors, they come into the clash having beaten Rotherham United 1-0 on Tuesday, their only win in the league in their last six matches.
The game itself was closely fought, with both teams producing more than 10 shots and nearly identical xG values, but Daniel Happe's 68th-minute winner was enough to secure a vital three points.
Boss Richie Wellens was delighted with the result and praised his players for overcoming their nerves to hold on for the win.
Wellens's side have won one, lost three and drawn two of their last six league games, conceding six goals but only scoring four times.
The visitors have lost their last two League One fixtures on the road, and though they did win the prior two away games, they have lost six of their last nine away matches.
Team News
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Wycombe will be without forward Brandon Hanlan, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while centre-back Ryan Tafazolli is still some way from making a comeback.
Sam Vokes is likely to be unavailable for a lengthy period, and in his absence, Bloomfield could name a forward line consisting of Gideon Kodua, Beryly Lubala and Richard Kone.
Joe Low and Caleb Taylor may be selected to start as centre-backs, while Aaron Morley is likely to feature at the base of midfield.
Leyton Orient could name a similar starting XI to the side that beat Rotherham, so expect goalkeeper Josh Keeley to be shielded by centre-backs Omar Beckles and Happe.
Darren Pratley and Jordan Brown may start in a double pivot, while Ethan Galbraith could feature as an attacking midfielder.
Elsewhere, striker Daniel Agyei is likely to be flanked by wingers Ollie O'Neill and Charlie Kelman.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Low, Taylor, Harvie; Scowen, Morley, Leahy; Kodua, Kone, Lubala
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; James, Beckles, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Kelman, Galbraith, O'Neill; Agyei
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 Leyton Orient
Given the contrasting seasons so far for both sides, it is difficult to see how Leyton Orient can avoid defeat on Saturday.
If Wycombe were to score first, then it would not be surprising if they comfortably beat the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
