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

Wycombe Wanderers play host to Bournemouth knowing that only victory will do if they want to retain any hope of remaining in the Championship.

While the Cherries have already sealed a place in the playoffs, the visitors are looking to get back on track after seeing their seven-match winning streak ended by Brentford last weekend.

Match preview

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When Jonathan Woodgate was appointed as Jason Tindall's replacement at Bournemouth, the former defender was tasked with moving the club into the top six before the end of the season.

While that has been achieved with two games to spare, Woodgate will want his side to build momentum ahead of trying to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Last week's setback at home to Brentford represented Bournemouth's first league defeat since March 13, and Woodgate will want to ensure that it becomes a rare blip in an otherwise positive spell at the club.

Fixtures against Wycombe and Stoke City are ideal for the South-coast outfit who are looking to end a run of five games without keeping a clean sheet.

Failure to score against the Bees also marked the first time in 14 Championship fixtures that Bournemouth had not found the back of the net.

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As far as Wycombe are concerned, their short period in the second tier appears to be coming to an end after defeat to Cardiff City last weekend.

Gareth Ainsworth has recently spearheaded a revival for the Chairboys with four wins and two draws being collected from nine matches.

However, conceding a late goal against the Bluebirds has left Wycombe relying on Derby County losing their remaining fixtures and a further six points being collected from meetings with Bournemouth and Middlesbrough.

After spending much of the campaign at the bottom of the table, positives will be taken if Wycombe can end the campaign ahead of Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United in 22nd place.

Nevertheless, Ainsworth and his squad will not give up until relegation is confirmed, and supporters will still be dreaming of a miracle escape on the final day of the season.

Team News

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Ainsworth must decide whether to stick with a three-man defence or revert back to his side's more familiar 4-3-3 formation.

The Wycombe boss may take encouragement from how his side performed against Cardiff, preferring to stick with the players who impressed until the closing quarter-of-an-hour.

Ryan Tafazolli, David Wheeler and Anis Mehmeti are all alternatives for the Chairboys if Ainsworth decides to make any changes.

Woodgate could take the opportunity to hand breathers to the likes of Arnaut Groeneveld and Dominic Solanke ahead of the playoffs.

David Brooks and Sam Surridge may come into the team, with Ben Pearson an option in midfield if Jefferson Lerma or Jack Wilshere drop to the substitutes' bench.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Grimmer, Stewart, Jacobson; McCarthy, Adeniran, Thompson, Onyedinma; McCleary; Muskwe, Ikpeazu

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Smith, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Rico; Wilshere, Pearson; Stanislas, Billing, Brooks; Surridge

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Bournemouth

Needing to record two wins and pull off a 13-goal swing, Wycombe will inevitably push forward throughout this contest. However, that will only play into the hands of the visitors, who we feel will record a comfortable win at Adams Park.