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NederlandStoke City square off against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon having dropped out of the Championship playoff race courtesy of three successive losses.
Meanwhile, Wycombe now sit 12 points away from safety after back-to-back defeats, putting the pressure on the visitors to gain maximum points at the bet365 Stadium.
Match preview
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Stoke have performed well in their last two fixtures against Brentford and Swansea City, pushing the two promotion contenders all the way in competitive matches.
However, early goals did not benefit the Potters in either game, the Bees and Swans ultimately fighting back to prevail by 2-1 scorelines.
Now sitting 10 points adrift of the playoffs with 12 fixtures remaining, Michael O'Neill will feel that Stoke must win at least nine times before the end of the campaign.
For a team who have recorded just three victories since December 8, trying to secure a top-10 finish is the more realistic target and would still represent a solid-enough season.
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While Stoke's recent setbacks have left them out of the playoff race, Wycombe are now closer to the drop on the back of successive defeats to Norwich City and Watford.
Although Gareth Ainsworth will be content with the performances of his players, failing to add any points to their tally has left the Chairboys requiring a miracle to avoid a return to League One.
On the plus side, Wycombe's remaining schedule is more favourable than others, with their next game against top-six opposition not coming until a meeting with Swansea on April 17.
Nevertheless, Ainsworth will not be optimistic about a survival bid until his players improve on a run of just two goals from five matches.
Stoke City Championship form: LWWLLL
Wycombe Wanderers Championship form: WLDWLL
Team News
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Ainsworth could hand starting roles to Wycombe pair Nnamdi Ofoborh and Garath McCleary after their substitute outings at Vicarage Road.
While Scott Kashket may also be may handed a recall to the first XI, Adebayo Akinfenwa will remain among the replacements.
O'Neill is expected to revert to a back four for this contest, likely resulting in Danny Batth dropping out of the Stoke XI.
Jack Clarke should start on one of the flanks, while Jordan Thompson is an option in midfield if O'Neill decides to rest either Joe Allen or John Obi Mikel.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Smith, Chester, Souttar, Norrington-Davies; Thompson, Mikel; Brown, Powell, Clarke; Fletcher
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Grimmer, Tafazolli, Stewart, Jacobson; Ofoborh, Gape, McCleary, Horgan, Onyedinma; Ikpeazu
We say: Stoke City 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers
While both clubs will be wary of yet another defeat, there will also be an acknowledgement that a draw does not help either side. With that in mind, we expect an entertaining clash in the Potteries, one which could end with Stoke edging the contest by the odd goal in three.
