Preview: Cambridge United vs. Wycombe Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Wycombe Wanderers will continue their pursuit of a spot in the top six of the League One table on Tuesday, when they travel to take on Cambridge United.

Gareth Ainsworth's side returned to winning ways against Doncaster Rovers at the weekend, while their hosts have climbed up to 13th spot thanks to consecutive wins.

Match preview

© Reuters

Following their promotion from League Two last term, Cambridge United have enjoyed a commendable campaign in England's third tier, sitting comfortably in mid-table even after a five-game winless run.

They were able to stop that rot recently, following up consecutive defeats with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at AFC Wimbledon as Adam May hit the only goal of the game at the beginning of the second half.

Mark Bonner's side then faced the tough test of travelling to an in-form Ipswich Town team at the weekend, and they left with all three points as Dominic Thompson's own goal made the difference.

As a result of those back-to-back victories, Cambridge have now moved back into a strong position in the fight for a top-half finish, and, with the chance to move up to 12th with another win, they will be keen to hand out another defeat to a promotion-chasing side.

© Reuters

Wycombe, meanwhile, arrive looking to stretch a positive run of their own, having kept themselves in the playoff hunt recently.

Following their relegation from the Championship, the Chairboys set their sights on an immediate return to the second tier, but they fell off the pace early in the new year, going seven games without a win and quickly dropping away from the top six as a result.

Gareth Ainsworth's men have been able to reverse their fortunes in impressive fashion recently, though, earning 14 points from their last six games to move back within touching distance of the playoffs, firstly beating Tuesday's opponents 3-0 on home turf with an Anis Mehmeti brace and a Garath McCleary goal making the difference.

Following wins over Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town and creditable draws with Portsmouth and league leaders Rotherham United, the Chairboys added another notch to their wins column on Saturday, defeating basement side Doncaster Rovers 2-0 at home thanks to goals from McCleary and Mehmeti.

Having now climbed back up to eight as a result of their improvement, and with just one point separating them and sixth-placed Sunderland, Wycombe will know that another victory on Tuesday would be hugely important in their bid to reach and triumph in the playoffs.

Team News

© Reuters

Following Saturday's impressive win, Cambridge may field an unchanged starting XI, with Bonner sticking with his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

Joe Ironside recently returned from an injury, and he will continue to lead the line, having hit 12 goals in his 31 league appearances this season.

Meanwhile, talismanic former Norwich City midfielder Wes Hoolahan will be vying to come back into the team in support of the frontman after he was left on the bench at the weekend.

Ainsworth has plenty of attacking options to choose from in his Wycombe squad, and Sam Vokes, Brandon Hanlan and Adebayo Akinfenwa will all be battling to lead the front line.

Whichever striker is chosen should be flanked by the threatening duo of Anis Mehmeti and Garath McCleary, having each scored in the win over Doncaster Rovers last time out to take their combined tallies to 13 goals and nine assists in League One this season.

Elsewhere, Anthony Stewart and Ryan Tafazolli should again form an experienced centre-back pairing with Joe Jacobsen another key man on the left-hand side of the defence.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Jones, Dunk; Digby, May; Smith, Knibbs, Brophy; Ironside

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stockdale; McCarthy, Stewart, Tafazolli, Jacobsen; Scowen, Wing; McCleary, Horgan, Mehmeti; Vokes

We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Cambridge will certainly be no soft touch, but we expect Wycombe, with the need for a victory in the race for the top six, to scrape over the line on Tuesday.

Ainsworth's side have quality all over the pitch, and we back them to return to Buckinghamshire with all three points after a tight contest.