Wycombe vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 27 November 2015 By Jim Bonner

Pompey travel to Adams Park tomorrow looking to build on their midweek thrashing of York with another win.

Team News

Paul Cook is expected to name the same side that delivered that hammering to the Minstermen and probably the same bench too, although Jayden Stockley is available for selection again following injury.

Former Pompey loanee Marcus Bean will miss tomorrow's match with a knee problem but midfielders James Ferry and Jermaine Udumaga could be handed debuts after being signed on loan from Brentford.

The Match

Given the nature of Tuesday night's win, the team surely picks itself for what surely will be a much tougher game at Wycombe tomorrow. Critics may believe that Nigel Atangana will be more dynamic than Danny Hollands in midfield whilst Ben Tollitt deserves to start ahead of Gareth Evans after a couple of bright performances from the bench but Paul Cook won't change a winning team.

And why would he? His team are beginning to show what they are truly capable of now and everything is starting to click. The forwards now look like they understand each other whilst the defence is functioning as a unit with both Doyle and Hollands providing the perfect link between them.

Pompey's football is becoming more fluid after the recent stuttering patch of form but the Chairboys are exactly the kind of side that will do everything in their power to stop the flowing attacks with their own "style" of play.

Wanderers are a team of grafters and Gareth Ainsworth loves his gamesmanship as anyone who had the misfortune of watching them play Pompey last season will remember.

Judging by Ainsworth's comments in the media, it seems like he may already be happy with a draw from this game, especially as Wycombe's record at Adams Park is far from stellar with just three wins on home turf.

Therefore expect to see some timewasting in this game which is bound to infuriate the huge number of travelling supporters. An early goal would certainly put that tactic to bed and looking at Pompey's team there are plenty of players who are capable of grabbing them.

Another win would set Pompey up nicely for a tricky festive period but it's doubtful anyone will be expecting a thrashing this time around!

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Wycombe

GK: Matt INGRAM

RB: Sido JOMBATI

CB: Aaron PIERRE

CB: Jason McCARTHY

LB: Danny ROWE

RM: Michael HARRIMAN

CM: Jermaine UDUMAGA

CM: Luke O'NIEN

LM: Sam WOOD

CF: Garry THOMPSON

CF: Paul HAYES

Pompey

GK: Brian MURPHY

RB: Ben DAVIES

CB: Christian BURGESS

CB: Adam WEBSTER

LB: Enda STEVENS

DM: Michael DOYLE

DM: Danny HOLLANDS

RM: Gareth EVANS

AM: Marc McNULTY

LM: Kyle BENNETT

CF: Caolan LAVERY

Last Time: Wycombe Wanderers 0 Portsmouth 0 (League Two - 31/01/2015)

Andy Awford's men came away from this fixture with a well-earned point when most expected them to be beaten given Wycombe's league position at the time.

My Prediction

Whilst Pompey may have recorded their biggest win since a 7-0 rout of Everton back in 1949, it's important not to get too carried away as this game is a completely different kettle of fish. A draw wouldn't be the worst result in what could be a frustrating game.

Wycombe Wanderers 1 Portsmouth 1