Wycombe Wanderers will be looking to return to the top of the table in League One on Tuesday evening, when they host Burton Albion at Adams Park.
The hosts were not in action at the weekend but did pick up a well-earned point last time out, whilst their visitors were on the wrong end of an FA Cup upset ahead of their return to league action in midweek.
Match preview
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With Rotherham United, Wigan Athletic and Plymouth Argyle all featuring in the cup at the weekend, Wycombe would have loved the opportunity to return to the top of the League One table, but were handed a break following their first round exit to Hartlepool United in the FA Cup last month.
Last time out, Wycombe headed to Sheffield Wednesday to record a 2-2 draw, which means Gareth Ainsworth's side sit in third ahead of the midweek round of action, level on points with Wigan and Rotherham above them, although they both possess at least one game in hand on Wanderers.
Anis Mehmeti provided the visitors with the lead at Hillsborough over a week ago, but goals either side of half time from their hosts meant the game was turned on its head at the blink of an eye.
Jordan Obita netted his first goal of the season to equalise just after the hour mark though, and his effort earned the Chairboys a hard-fought point, despite being forced onto the back foot for much of the contest.
That positive result mean it is now seven points taken from the last nine available for Wycombe, which has been a considerable recovery following a six-game winless spell prior to it, which had seen Ainsworth's side slip away after an initial excellent start to the campaign on their return to the third tier.
Three points will be the target when they return to Adams Park on Tuesday though, as Wycombe look to keep the pressure on the top two in their quest for an immediate return to the Championship.
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Meanwhile, Burton remained 10th in the table in League One on Saturday, as the majority of the sides around them joined them in FA Cup action at the weekend.
Unfortunately for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and his side though, they were defeated by Port Vale at the Pirelli Stadium in one of the shocks of the second round.
Ryan Leak's goal midway through the first half seemingly set Burton on their way to the dream third round, but two quickfire goals from their League Two opponents late on meant it was an early exit from the cup in the end.
However, the Brewers return to league action on Tuesday on the back of two consecutive victories and clean sheets in League One over the previous week, which saw Burton comprehensively defeat Accrington Stanley and Doncaster Rovers 4-0 and 2-0 respectively.
It means Burton continue their steady rise under the management of Hasselbaink, but with just eight points, and four goals scored, from nine away league games so far, the Dutchman will be aware of the need for his side to drastically improve on their away form if they are to challenge the numerous giants at the top of the table for promotion to the second tier.
Tuesday's visitors will take confidence from their recent trip to Wycombe though, with Burton demolishing their opponents 5-0 at Adams Park in the EFL Trophy just a month ago.
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Team News
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The 10-day break in between games mean Ainsworth has been able to freshen his side up ahead of the return to league action on Tuesday.
A few players with injury niggles have managed to fully recover, and the manager could welcome back Joe Jacobson to his back line, which would see a reshuffle that could cost Garath McCleary his place in the starting 11.
Sam Vokes and Brandon Hanlan look set to lead the line, and will be supported by the in-form Mehmeti, who has three goals and an assist to his name in the last two matches.
As for Burton, they could welcome back Jacob Maddox to the squad following his recent absence caused by a hamstring injury.
He just missed out on the defeat to Port Vale at the weekend, and his return would mean it is a near fully-fit squad to choose from for Hasselbaink.
Louis Moult could be the only absentee, although he is nearing a return following an ankle injury.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Stewart, Tafazolli, Jacobson; McCarthy, Wheeler, Thompson, Obita; Mehmeti; Hanlan, Vokes
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Garratt; Shaughnessy, Leak, Borthwick-Jackson; Hamer, Taylor, O'Connor, Akins; Smith, Jebbison, Hemmings
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Burton Albion
Wycombe will be expected to come out on top against Burton on Tuesday, and we are predicting they will do so back in front of their own supporters.
The hosts are strong at home and look to be on an improved run of form following a disappointing spell, whilst their visitors remain poor on their travels so far.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Wycombe Wanderers win with a probability of 41.84%. A win for Burton Albion had a probability of 31.6% and a draw had a probability of 26.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Wycombe Wanderers win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.86%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.71%) and 2-0 (7.49%). The likeliest Burton Albion win was 0-1 (9.15%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.62%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.7% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted a 2-1 win for Wycombe Wanderers in this match and our data analysis correctly predicted the win for Wycombe Wanderers.
