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

Wycombe Wanderers travel to Middlesbrough requiring victory by a wide margin if they are to have any chance of remaining in the Championship.

While Boro are unbeaten in their last three outings, they can realistically only finish as high as ninth position with success at the Riverside Stadium.

Match preview

© Reuters

In charge of one of the smallest clubs to ever feature in the Championship, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth deserves to be in the conversation when the manager of the year awards are being debated.

Nevertheless, barring three results going in their favour and a 12-goal swing, the Chairboys will be playing in League One next season.

Regardless of the outcome at the weekend, Wycombe have performed against the odds in the short and long term, collecting 14 points from eight games to give themselves a chance on the final day of the season.

Dropping points at Swansea City and Cardiff City has likely cost Wanderers an opportunity to pull off the greatest of escapes, but that will not stop one last effort being made in the North-East.

© Reuters

Having shown the potential to make the playoffs earlier in the season, Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock will be disappointed that his side head into their final game of the campaign with nothing to play for.

Now sitting 13 points adrift of sixth-placed Barnsley, Boro have been well beaten in the race for the top six, but there are positives to be taken from seven points being collected from their last three fixtures.

While Warnock has been left frustrated with no clean sheet being recorded in eight games, they have found some form in the final third through Duncan Watmore and Yannick Bolasie.

The latter, on loan from Everton, has three goals and three assists to his name from 14 appearances, and Warnock will no doubt want to re-sign the playmaker when he becomes available on a free transfer in the summer.

Team News

© Reuters

With Dennis Adeniran and Jack Grimmer suffering first-half injuries last weekend, Ainsworth could be forced into two changes and a switch in system.

Should he stick with a 3-4-1-2 formation, Ryan Tafazolli and David Wheeler may be brought into the Wycombe starting lineup.

Keen to end the season on a high, Warnock could look to keep the same side which earned a point at Luton Town.

Djed Spence is an alternative to Neeskens Kebano at right wing-back, while a number of youngsters will be hopeful of an opportunity off the substitutes' bench.

Warnock has previously suggested that soon-to-be free agent Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will not be considered for the final game of the season.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Archer; McNair, Hall, Bola; Kebano, Saville, Howson, Coulson, Johnson; Bolasie, Watmore

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Tafazolli, Stewart, Jacobson; MacCarthy, Wheeler, Thompson, Onyedinma; McCleary; Ikpeazu, Muskwe

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers

While Wanderers will inevitably push for goals, they cannot afford to concede during the early stages. If Boro can keep the visitors out in the first half, we expect this contest to peter out into an uneventful draw.

VOTE IN THE END-OF-SEASON SPORTS MOLE AWARDS!

Have your say in the annual end-of-season Sports Mole Reader Awards!

Click here to vote for your Premier League Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Signing of the Season and much more!