Preview: Rotherham United vs. Wycombe Wanderers – prediction, team news, lineups

Wycombe Wanderers will climb into the automatic promotion spots in League One should they beat hosts Rotherham United on Tuesday at the New York Stadium.

Rotherham are in 14th place with 45 points after drawing 1-1 with Exeter City on March 15, while Wycombe are in third place with 68 points but are only three points behind second-placed Wrexham, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.

Match preview

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The hosts were held to a stalemate by Exter City despite dominating most attacking metrics, creating four big chances and 2.33 xG compared to their opponents’ two big chances and 1.04 xG.

Rotherham have failed to score in three of their past seven games and only found the back of the net more than once on one occasion in that period.

Boss Steve Evans‘s side lost 2-0 against Wycombe in the reverse fixture on August 24, and have in fact only won one of their last 10 meetings with their opponents, losing six times.

The Millers’ form in the past weeks has been positive considering they have triumphed in two, drawn one and been beaten in just one of their last four, scoring five and conceding four in those games.

Rotherham’s record at the New York Stadium is somewhat less positive given the hosts have lost three and been held to a stalemate in one of their past five at home, though they did triumph in six of their prior eight at the stadium.

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As for the visitors, they come into the clash off the back of a 1-0 defeat against Wrexham, a game in which they created little in the final third and conceded despite facing just two shots on target.

Wycombe’s record of 61 goals scored in the third tier is the best return of any of the division’s 24 clubs, but they have been prevented from scoring in three of their last five outings.

A victory on Tuesday would see the home side move above Wrexham given they have superior goal difference and it would also see them move 11 points ahead of seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers, who are one place outside the promotion playoff spots.

Head coach Mike Dodds will be concerned by his team’s form considering they have only emerged victorious in two of their nine most recent matches, succumbing to defeat on three occasions.

Wycombe are also winless in their last five fixtures away from home, drawing three and losing two in that time.

Team News

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Rotherham boss could name the same back four that played last time out, and that could mean Joe Rafferty, Hakeem Odofin, Cameron Humphreys and Reece James retain their places in the starting XI.

Shaun McWilliams, Liam Kelly and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu are candidates to be stationed in midfield, while Mallik Wilkz and Sam Nombe may start up front.

Meanwhile, Wycombe are likely to field Jack Grimmer, Joe Low, Caleb Taylor and Adam Reach in defence.

Josh Scowen and Luke Leahy could be paired together in a double pivot, while striker Daniel Udoh may be supported by attackers Garath McCleary, Cameron Humphreys and Fred Onyedinma.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Rafferty, Odofin, Humphreys, James; McWilliams, Kelly, Mpanzu; Powell; Wilkz, Nombe

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Norris; Grimmer, Low, Taylor, Reach; Scowen, Leahy; McCleary, Humphreys, Onyedinma; Udoh

We say: Rotherham United 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe’s form in recent weeks has been concerning but they must bounce back if they are to avoid ceding the promotion initiative to Wrexham.

Rotherham’s record at home has not been strong and it is hard to see them winning on Tuesday, though they may cause the visitors difficulties.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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