Preview: Wycombe v Bury

Wycombe Wanderers entertain Bury at Adams Park on Saturday in a League Two fixture.



The Shakers have carried on the good form they showed at the end of last season under new manager Alan Knill and currently sit in 6th place with 36 points from 23 games, 10 points behind their hosts Wycombe Wanderers.

Bury’s away form this season has been good and they’ve managed to pick up more points on their travels than they have at their home ground Gigg Lane.

The Shakers were 2nd in the league approaching the festive period but have dropped down the table after recent results. In their last three outings they lost 2-0 at Bournemouth just before Christmas, drew 2-2 at home to Darlington on Boxing Day, and then lost 1-0 at Shrewsbury last Sunday. In the Shrews game, Bury had to play for almost an hour with only 10 men after Efe Sodje was shown a straight red card.

They have scored 34 league goals (17 away from home) and have conceded 25 (14 away from home).

11 different players have scored for Bury this season and their top marksman is Andy Bishop with 11 goals in all competitions. Glynn Hurst is the next highest scorer with 4 strikes to his name.



Wycombe Wanderers are 5 points clear at the top of the table with 46 points from 23 games.

With the league season at exactly the half way mark, Wycombe have only lost once and still remain unbeaten at Adams Park. In their last three matches, the Chairboys have recorded a fine 1-0 win at Shrewsbury Town, before letting the lead slip twice in successive 1-1 draws at home to Exeter on Boxing Day and away to Gillingham last Sunday.

Wycombe have scored 31 league goals (18 at home) and have conceded 13 (7 at home)

12 different players have scored for Wycombe in all competitions and the top scorer is Matt Harrold with 9 goals. Next highest scorer is Chris Zebroski who had found the net 6 times before his enforced absence through injury.



Current League Form
Neither side are currently setting the world on fire.


Last Five League Games
Wycombe: LDWDD – 6 points
Bury : DWLDL – 5 points


Last Five Home Games
Wycombe: WWWDD – 11 points


Last Five Away Games
Bury: WWDLL – 7 points



Recent Meetings At Adams Park

2004/05: Wycombe 1 Bury 2
2005/06: Wycombe 4 Bury 0
2006/07: Wycombe 3 Bury 0
2007/08: Wycombe 1 Bury 0

Earlier this season the two sides played out a goalless draw at Gigg Lane.



Ref Watch

The referee for this game is Mr. Trevor Kettle

Mr. Kettle was last in charge of a Wycombe game in October 2007 when the Chairboys lost 2-1 at Barnet. So far this season he has overseen 18 games and has issued 3 red and 43 yellow cards.



Team News

Tommy Doherty is suspended for this game.

David McCracken and Lewis Hunt are both doubtful through injury.

Chris Zebroski is expected to remain sidelined through injury.



The squad is looking a bit thin at the moment with injuries, suspensions and returned loan-players leaving Peter Taylor with limited options. Nevertheless, I expect Wycombe to brush off the festive cobwebs, put the disappointment of their last two performances behind them and return to winning ways with a narrow victory over the Shakers.

Prediction

Wycombe 2 Bury 1