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

Both sides will be seeking their first points of the EFL Trophy group stage on Tuesday, as Wycombe Wanderers host Burton Albion at Adams Park.

The League One clubs meet with chances of progress already ended, as a place in the top two of Group K is out of their reach.

Match preview

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As contenders for a quick return to the Championship, following a bright opening third of the 2021-22 campaign, Wycombe have saved their best form for the league so far, rather than the cups.

Held 2-2 at managerless Hartlepool on Saturday, in the first round of the FA Cup, the Buckinghamshire side understandably went out of the EFL Cup to Manchester City after a 6-1 thrashing back in September, and they have also made no impact on the Football League's most maligned competition this term.

Beaten by both MK Dons and Aston Villa's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy already, their final group game comes with hopes of making the knockout phase entirely extinguished, so they have only pride left to play for.

Wanderers have suffered a slow start to November, as their failure to push past League Two opponents in the FA Cup was preceded by a 4-1 loss at home to Ipswich, meaning they have won just one of their last five matches.

Still very much in the mix for the top two places near the tightly-packed summit of the league, Gareth Ainsworth's men will naturally have one eye on Saturday's visit of Portsmouth, which has now been given the go-ahead, having been thrown into doubt due to international call-ups. Therefore, they could be vulnerable to a capable - if inconsistent - Burton side.

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Since they were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa's youngsters at the start of October, Burton have lost three and won two of their League One fixtures, to sit 11th in the table - some nine points adrift of Wycombe, but just five short of the playoff places.

Despite taking a two-goal lead last time out in the EFL Trophy - plus enjoying far more shots on goal and having a near-equal share of possession - Albion were picked off by Villa's potential future stars, with in-form Cameron Archer bagging a hat-trick which ended the home side's hopes of escaping Group K.

The Brewers had previously lost at home to MK Dons, so are pointless ahead of Tuesday's final fixture and will be playing to avoid finishing rock-bottom of the section.

They do, though, approach the trip south following a morale-boosting FA Cup victory at Fleetwood on Saturday, when they ran out 2-1 winners thanks to Daniel Jebbison's decisive goal in the 77th minute.

That was their second success in the space of a few weeks at Highbury Stadium, following a 1-0 win there in the league last month, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's men had lost to both Oxford and Wigan in between, without scoring a goal.

Struggling Charlton will be Burton's next opponents when they return to the Pirelli Stadium next weekend, so Hasselbaink may well prioritise picking up three points then rather than earning a consolation win in midweek.

Team News

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With some crucial games coming up in the league, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth could once more look to make use of his squad players in the Chairboys' second successive cup game.

The hosts have no fresh injury concerns, but Daryl Horgan, Tjay De Barr and Sullay Kaikai have been called up by Sierra Leone, Ireland and Gibraltar respectively for the forthcoming international period.

Adam Przybek may continue in goal, while Connor Parsons could feature on the wing - supporting Brandon Hanlan up front. Meanwhile, Garath McCleary remains a doubt due to a shoulder injury he picked up against Crewe.

Burton will have Jonny Smith available, having served his suspension following a red card at Wigan Athletic last week, but Tom Hamer is ruled out, as his ban for accumulating yellow cards now comes into effect in EFL competition.

Lucas Akins was left out of the squad for the FA Cup tie at Fleetwood with a neck problem, and may not be risked ahead of next weekend's return to league action. Therefore, Saturday's matchwinner Daniel Jebbison should lead the visitors line alongside either Kane Hemmings or Aaron Amadi-Holloway.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Przybek; Stewart, Tafazolli, Jacobson; Obita, Scowen, Thompson, McCarthy; Parsons, Hanlan, Wheeler

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Garratt; Shaughnessy, Leak, O'Connor; Hamer, Lakin, Taylor, Blake-Tracy; Powell; Amadi-Holloway, Jebbison

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Burton Albion

Neither side is likely to go all-out for the win in this midweek dead-rubber, with more important fixtures ahead. However, several players will have a point to prove to their manager in the absence of first-team regulars, and an unlikely name may have the decisive say.

Wycombe should just edge it, by virtue of home advantage and the greater squad depth at Gareth Ainsworth's disposal.

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