Stevenage will be hoping to bounce back from successive defeats when they host Wycombe Wanderers in League One on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are also winless in their last two games but have generally improved of late.
Match preview
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Stevenage have performed above expectations in their first season back in League One since being relegated from the third tier in 2013-14, pushing for a playoff spot as a result. The Boro have won exactly half of their matches since Steve Evans took over as manager in March 2022.
However, they have picked up just one point from their last four league games to fall outside of the playoffs positions, although they do possess two games in hand on Oxford United, who head into the weekend four points clear of them.
Unlike when being defeated at home by Reading and Bristol Rovers and drawing away to struggling Port Vale, Evans and his players would not have expected a positive result from an away trip to Derby County. In the end, though, they were a matter of minutes away from doing so, but Louie Sibley struck in the last minute of normal time to hand his side all three points.
With successive home games against Wycombe and Cambridge United to come within the space of a few days, Evans will feel that it is time for his side's season to get back on track, otherwise their playoff dreams will begin to fade.
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Wycombe would have been hoping to challenge for a playoff spot themselves this season, but their first full campaign under the management of Matt Bloomfield has not gone entirely to plan. The 40-year-old was always going to have massive boots to fill after the departure of his former manager Gareth Ainsworth last year.
However, after securing back-to-back wins against Cheltenham Town and Peterborough United before losing to Bolton Wanderers, Wycombe moved six points clear of the relegation zone by holding Oxford to a 0-0 stalemate last weekend.
A draw was probably the fairest outcome from the encounter at Adams Park, with both sides struggling to create many clear-cut chances. Oxford shaded the possession, but Wycombe narrowly edged the shots total, forcing the opposition's goalkeeper Jamie Cumming into four saves.
Bloomfield and his players went on to seal their place in the EFL Trophy final against Peterborough by beating Bradford City 1-0 on Wednesday evening. The League Two side shaded the encounter, but Matt Butcher struck in the first minute of injury time to book the club's day at Wembley Stadium in early April.
Survival will be the club's main priority this season, and while they should have more than enough individual quality to do so, they cannot afford to take anything for granted. Another positive result on Saturday would certainly do wonders for their chances.
Team News
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Stevenage recalled Louis Thompson to their starting XI against Derby, and the former Portsmouth man should retain his place at the base of midfield after putting in a solid shift against the Rams.
Evans's side were unfortunate to fall to defeat at Pride Park, so the former Peterborough boss may stick with the same team in hope that they can instantly bounce back from successive defeats.
Wycombe, meanwhile, will travel without Nigel Lonwijk due to a torn hamstring, while Brandon Hanlan is out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury.
Bloomfield made three changes for the EFL Trophy semi-final victory against Bradford in midweek, and Butcher will be hoping to hold down his place in midfield after coming off the bench against Oxford last weekend before scoring the dramatic winner in midweek.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Vancooten, Piergianni, Butler; Freeman, Thompson, Forster-Caskey; Roberts; Reid, Hemmings
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Grimmer, Low, Tafazolli, Vincent-Young; Scowen, Butcher; McCleary, Taylor, Sadlier; Lubala
We say: Stevenage 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Stevenage should be fresher having had a free midweek, whereas Wycombe were involved in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday. The hosts will be determined to return to winning ways after enduring some tough results of late.
We can envisage a match low on chances, with both teams involved in tight games last weekend. In the end, we expect Stevenage to grind out a victory and boost their playoff hopes in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Brett Curtis
