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

Wycombe Wanderers head into Saturday's fixture with Gillingham knowing that victory at Adams Park will take them into top spot of the League One standings.

Gillingham's focus is on moving away from the relegation zone, the visitors currently occupying 18th position having played a game more than some of the clubs below them.

Match preview

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Having narrowly missed out on one of the most remarkable survivals in Championship history, there was a feeling that Wycombe may struggle to adapt to life back in the third tier.

However, Gareth Ainsworth has worked wonders to keep the Chairboys on the right path, collecting 20 points from their opening 10 league fixtures.

Last weekend's 4-3 thriller with Morecambe will go down as one of the games of the season, Wycombe rallying from two goals down to eventually prevail courtesy of a 90th-minute winner.

Ainsworth will demand that his side do not make a habit of such slow starts, but he was reassured that his group of players have the character to earn promotion this season.

Sam Vokes netted his third goal since his arrival during that match, the experienced Welshman ending a six-game streak without a goal.

From Gillingham's perspective, a trip to face opponents with a perfect home record has come at the wrong time as they bid to end a poor run of form.

Their solitary win in seven fixtures came away at Cambridge United on September 28, and they have now failed to score in 210 minutes in all competitions.

While Steve Evans will be optimistic that his side will eventually get back on track, the veteran boss will have concerns about two clean sheets being recorded from 15 matches.

On the plus side, the Gills are unbeaten in their last three away games, while just six goals have been conceded in as many outings on the road.

Team News

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Having opted to make a number of changes for the EFL Trophy fixture at MK Dons, Ainsworth could revert back to the team which started against Morecambe.

Despite netting his second cup goal of the season in midweek, Brandon Hanlan is likely to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Jack Grimmer and David Wheeler are alternatives in defence and midfield respectively if Ainsworth makes any changes.

Like his opposite number, Evans made multiple alterations in midweek, something which could lead to an unchanged Gillingham starting lineup.

However, teenager Gerard Sithole has been used as a substitute on a regular basis, and the 18-year-old could earn a second league start in the final third.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; McCarthy, Stewart, Tafazolli, Jacobson; McCleary, Thompson, Scowen, Obita; Vokes, Horgan

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Cumming; McKenzie, Bennett, Ehmer, Tutonda; Adshead, Lloyd, MacDonald; Dempsey; Oliver, Akinde

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 Gillingham

On the back of a three-game unbeaten streak away from home, respect has to be given to Gillingham ahead of this contest. Nevertheless, Wycombe know how to get over the line at Adams Park, and we are backing a comfortable home win.