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

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Championship clash between Bournemouth and Wycombe Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bournemouth welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening looking to strengthen their hold of second spot in the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to the South Coast on the back of eight matches without success, a run which has kept the club two points adrift of safety.


Match preview

Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall pictured on November 7, 2020© Reuters

Failure to defeat either Rotherham United or Preston North End left Bournemouth needing to show their mental toughness for the first time since dropping down from the Premier League.

Three games later and the Cherries have recorded a further seven points and nine goals, easing any concerns that Jason Tindall may have had about the progression of his squad.

While three successive clean sheets is a welcome bonus, the manner in which Bournemouth have dispatched of Barnsley and Huddersfield Town will fill Tindall with confidence ahead of the Christmas period.

Dominic Solanke is emerging as one of the players of the season, contributing eight goals and four assists as he finally begins to justify his £19m price-tag.

However, with David Brooks and Sam Surridge also getting in on the act on a regular basis, Tindall is no longer relying heavily on the one-cap England international to fire the club back into the top flight.

A few weeks ago, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth would have viewed this contest as an opportunity to cause one of the biggest surprises in the EFL this season.

Eight games without success, with their last win coming on November 4, will likely have changed his mindset as the Chairboys desperately search for an upturn in results.

While it has been almost three months since the division's minnows conceded more than twice in a match, they have looked far more susceptible in games against Preston North End, Barnsley and Coventry City.

Ainsworth would have felt that his squad were capable of claiming at least one win from that run of fixtures, but posting just a point from a possible nine has put his team on the back foot ahead of one of their toughest tests of the campaign.

Bournemouth Championship form: WDLWDW

Wycombe Wanderers Championship form: DDLDLL


Team News

Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Ainsworth is likely to hand starts to Scott Kashket, Garath McCleary and Adebayo Akinfenwa after their appearance among the replacements at the weekend.

Depending on his choice of formation, the trio could come in as straight alternatives to the front three which featured against Coventry.

Tindall may freshen up his Bournemouth midfield by handing a recall to Dan Gosling, possibly in place of Jefferson Lerma.

Having taken the chance to rest players in the second half on Saturday, the remainder of the team could stay the same.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; S.Cook, Simpson, Kelly; Smith, Gosling, L.Cook, Billing, Stanislas; Brooks, Solanke

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Grimmer, Knight, McCarthy, Jacobson; Gape, Bloomfield, Pattison; Kashket, Akinfenwa, McCleary


SM words green background

We say: Bournemouth 3-0 Wycombe Wanderers

All things considered, Wycombe have a respectable defensive record given their status in this division. However, they are likely to be outclassed in this encounter as Bournemouth look to continue their impressive showings in the final third.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


ID:426307:cQx

How you voted: Bournemouth vs Wycombe

Bournemouth
86.1%
Draw
8.3%
Wycombe Wanderers
5.6%
72
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Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall pictured on November 7, 2020
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Jason Tindall delighted to see "the new Dominic Solanke"
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich22135430201044
2Brentford22118336211541
3Swansea CitySwansea22117425121340
4Bournemouth21108336181838
5Reading2211473227537
6Stoke CityStoke229852621535
7Watford209742315834
8Barnsley2210482728-134
9Middlesbrough209652516933
10Bristol City2210392324-133
11Preston North EndPreston22102103030032
12Huddersfield TownHuddersfield229492730-331
13Luton TownLuton228682024-430
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn228593627929
15Cardiff CityCardiff228592925429
16Millwall2051051718-125
17Coventry CityCoventry225892030-1023
18Birmingham CityBirmingham225891727-1023
19Queens Park RangersQPR224992030-1021
20Derby CountyDerby2147101423-919
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2247111526-1119
22Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2257101423-916
23Rotherham UnitedRotherham2044121929-1016
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2236131532-1715

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