Chairboys host Sheffield Wednesday in play-off contender clash

Wycombe are set for their biggest crowd of the season as they face Sheffield Wednesday in a crucial game at the top of League One.

Both sides enter this contest in great form and will be hoping to secure the all-important three points in the race for promotion. The hosts are currently sixth in the league and are undefeated in their last ten games. The Owls are also in excellent form, having won four of their last five games.

Although, Wycombe kept their unbeaten run against AFC Wimbledon, it was two points dropped for Gareth Ainsworth’s side.

Darren Moore’s side on the other hand, could be within one point of the top two if they win at Adams Park and other results go their way. Wednesday have strengthened their play off hopes following back-to-back wins over Easter.

However, the visitors could drop outside the top six if they fall to defeat. Wednesday will be looking to secure consecutive away wins, as they look to put pressure on those above them in the league.

In the reverse fixture at the Hillsborough Stadium, the two sides couldn’t be separated as they played out an enthralling 2-2 draw. Wednesday have had the better of the hosts in recent meetings with Wycombe winning just one of the last five games between the two teams.

Team News

Adebayo Akinfenwa is in contention for a rare start after netting the equaliser at Plough Lane. The home side are set to welcome several players back for the game on Saturday. Jack Young, Anis Mehmeti and Nick Freeman are just some of the names who could return.

The visitors will be without Dominic Iorfa, who picked up an injury in training. The fullback is set for a spell on the sidelines and could be out of action for four weeks.

Harlee Dean has been in training this week and could be involved in Saturday’s pivotal encounter. Moore is also set to welcome back Sam Hutchinson, who missed the last two games with an injury.

Predicted Lineups:

Wycombe (4-2-3-1): Stockdale; McCarthy, Forino, Tafazolli, Jacobson; Scowen, Gape; McCleary, Horgan, Hanlan; Vokes.

Sheffield Wednesday (5-3-2): Peacock-Farrell; Hunt, Storey, Palmer, Johnson, Mendez-Laing; Byers, Bannan, Luongo; Berahino, Gregory.

The Managers

Gareth Ainsworth 

The Chairboys manager has labelled this fixture as the biggest game of the season.

“For me, we now need to prepare for Sheffield Wednesday so we need to rest and recover as that’s really important for what will be the biggest game of the season and I can’t wait for it.

“We snapped and snatched at the target at the wrong times (against AFC Wimbledon) and just a couple of details could have been better.”

Darren Moore 

The Owls boss has admitted that he is looking forward to the business end of the season and has challenged his side to remain consistent.

“It is the stage of the season that I like. For me as a manager, it is about staying consistent with the group and we deal deal with the hurdles that come up as best we can.

“We don’t rest on our laurels. We have to keep moving forward. There has been that steady progression over the season.”

Steve Clare has covered Wycombe this year for Prost International. He said:

 “Gareth Ainswoth’s side looked a little tired at Wimbledon on Monday, but they will most likely have Anthony Stewart available to start after he came off the bench at Plough Lane.

“They will have had a day’s more rest than Wednesday, who played Crewe the following day. More than 8,000 tickets have now been sold and this will be Wycombe’s highest attendance of the season.

” Wycombe have had some poor displays at home this season, but on their most recent outing versus Plymouth, many players seemed to return to form.”

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