Fleetwood Town host Wycombe Wanderers at Highbury Stadium on Friday in the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final, kick-off at 19:30.
The League One season ended abruptly due to COVID-19 and, after much confusion and debate, the majority of teams voted for the league to be decided on a points-per-game basis.
The Chairboys gained the most from this outcome as they were sat in eight but, due to them playing one less game than the teams above them, they jumped up five places into third.
Meanwhile, Joey Barton’s side dropped just one place, thus securing the last playoff spot.
The Fishermen are unbeaten in 12 league games whilst Gareth Ainsworth’s side have been in freefall since late December having won just five out of 14 games.
However, it is unfair to consider form going into the first leg of this play-off tie because, as we have seen throughout Europe, form means very little after nearly four months out.
Team News
Fleetwood have a fully fit squad going into this game with the break enabling players, such as Wes Burns, to return to full fitness.
Wycombe will be unable to call upon defender Jason McCarthy who has gone back to his parent club Millwall but have everyone else available.
Last 5 meetings
Wycombe 0-1 Fleetwood 11/2/20
Fleetwood 1-1 Wycombe 20/8/19
Wycombe 1-0 Fleetwood 4/5/19
Fleetwood 1-1 Wycombe 2/10/18
Fleetwood 1-0 Wycombe 21/4/14
Score Prediction
Both sides have experienced and reliable attacking options but despite this, I can see another tight and cagey affair between these two sides.
Cult hero and lower league legend Adebayo Akinfenwa will be looking to add to his tally of ten goals this season and will be hoping to repeat his 2016 League Two play-off success with AFC Wimbledon.
Barton will be confident that the dependable striker Paddy Madden will add to his impressive 19 goals this season and, with the back-up of Burns and Ched Evans, he will be optimistic he can do so.
Fleetwood haven’t lost to Wycombe this season so I can see them taking a slender advantage into the reverse fixture at Adams Park.
Match Preview written by Jon Bazley.
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