Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Birmingham City make the trip to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon looking to improve from their opening-weekend draw in League One.
Meanwhile, the Chairboys play host to another title contender after losing out to Wrexham in their first game.
Match preview
© Imago
With all the attention on Birmingham’s spending during the summer, it was perhaps inevitable that they would fail to impress in their first game under Chris Davies.
Nevertheless, Blues were still able to come away from their meeting with Reading with a 1-1 draw, earned through an 87th-minute penalty from Alfie May.
An EFL Cup showdown with fellow League One outfit Charlton Athletic followed, Birmingham earning a 1-0 victory despite having to see out the game with 10 men.
Dion Sanderson‘s dismissal in the 78th minute ensured that the West Midlands outfit had to scrap for their win, Davies likely to have been delighted with how they dealt with the situation.
That said, there will be an acknowledgement that his team need to improve going forward if they want to keep pace with the other big-hitters in the division.
Opponents Wycombe have already had an experience of facing one of the favourites for the title after making the trip to Wrexham last weekend.
A slow start in an intimidating atmosphere left Matt Bloomfield‘s side up against it before they eventually succumbed by a 3-2 scoreline.
The manner in which the Chairboys ended the game would have encouraged Bloomfield, while he will be satisfied that lessons will have been learned from the experience.
Wycombe responded with a 2-0 victory over Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, coincidentally also having to deal with a 78th-minute red card before sealing their place in the second round.
Wycombe Wanderers League One form:
Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):
Birmingham City League One form:
Birmingham City form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
Wycombe boss Bloomfield switched to a back three against Northampton and it had the desired effect, that formation now likely to remain for this match.
Jason McCarthy could be used in place of Alex Hartridge, who will sit out this contest after picking up two cautions in the EFL Cup tie.
Jack Grimmer and Josh Scowen will also hope to be recalled on the right flank and in midfield respectively.
With Sanderson missing out for Birmingham due to suspension, Christoph Klarer is in line to deputise in defence.
Keshi Anderson may also keep his place on the right flank having supplied the assist for the decisive goal at The Valley.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Bishop; Low, Tafazolli, McCarthy; Grimmer, Leahy, Scowen, Butcher, Harvie; Udoh, Kone
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Peacock-Farrell; Laird, Klarer, Bielik, Cochrane; Leonard, Paik; Anderson, Willumsson, Dembele; May
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Birmingham City
With Birmingham at the start of their process under Davies, Wycombe will sense an opportunity. However, given the superior quality within the Blues ranks, we feel that the visitors will do enough to earn a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.