Preview: Cambridge United vs. Wycombe Wanderers

Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s League One clash between Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cambridge United will have the chance to secure League One safety when they play host to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.

The U’s head into their penultimate game in 19th position, while the visitors are currently sitting in 11th place in the standings.

Match preview
© Reuters

After beginning April with a 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic, Cambridge have gone on to experience a difficult run of results, losing three of their last four matches by a 1-0 scoreline.

The U’s were edged out in Saturday’s home clash with promotion hopefuls Derby County after Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s first-half effort proved to be a difference between the two sides.

Having taken just one point from their last four matches, Garry Monk’s side are yet to secure their League One status with five points separating them from 21st-placed Cheltenham Town.

However, with just two games left to play, Cambridge will be mathematically safe if they claim all three points in Tuesday’s home meeting.

Even if they fail to beat Wycombe, the U’s will also be guaranteed safety if Cheltenham fail to beat Peterborough in League One’s other game on Tuesday evening.

Wycombe will be undeterred by the prospect of a fourth consecutive away fixture, having won each of their last three matches against Shrewsbury Town, Port Vale and Carlisle United.

Gareth McCleary opened the scoring in Saturday’s clash at Brunton Park, before Carlisle’s Alfie McCalmont netted a 28th-minute equaliser to send the two sides into the break on level terms.

However, Matt Bloomfield’s side still managed to return to Buckinghamshire with all three points thanks to Richard Kone’s 49th-minute strike and McCleary’s second goal of the match.

After putting together a three-game winning run, the Chairboys are sitting in 11th place with 61 points to their name, leaving them on the brink of securing a top-half finish for a third consecutive season.

Wycombe have fared well on their recent trips to Abbey Stadium, having won each of their previous four away games against Cambridge.

Cambridge United League One form:

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):

The hosts could be without the services of Harrison Dunk, Jack Stevens and George Thomas, while Mamadou Jobe is a doubt after he missed Saturday’s game due to injury.

James Brophy dropped down to the bench against Derby, but the midfielder could be considered for a recall for Tuesday’s crucial fixture.

Lyle Taylor, who left Wycombe in January, could provide Monk with a useful option off the bench after he returned from a four-game injury absence to appear as a late substitute against the Rams.

As for the Chairboys, they are still unable to call upon the injured trio of Brandon Hanlan, Kane Vincent-Young and Saxon Earley.

Having rotated his squad in the last few games, Bloomfield is likely to make several changes for Tuesday’s away trip, with Ryan Tafazolli, Jack Grimmer, Matt Butcher and Kieran Sadlier in contention to start.

Sam Vokes could also return to the lineup after dropping down to the bench on Saturday following consecutive starts against Shrewsbury and Port Vale.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mannion; R Bennett, Ibsen Rossi, Andrew; Brophy, Digby, Cousins, Gibbons; Kachunga; Bonne, Ahadme

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Forino-Joseph, Tafazolli, Leahy; Scowen, Butcher; McCleary, Taylor, Sadlier; Vokes

We say: Cambridge United 1-3 Wycombe Wanderers
After winning their last three away matches, Wycombe will be determined to continue that run in their final away match of the campaign.

We believe the Chairboys will do enough to claim three points against a Cambridge side that has lost three of their previous four outings.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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