League One Preview, Game 25

It's looking increasingly likely that our first match of the new decade will go ahead at Adams Park. Not so long ago we may have had higher ambitions but there it is, and we will go there as only slight favourites for the result.

The Adams park pitch has undersoil heating and the Chairboys are confident the match will go ahead. It's raining across much of the Capital this morning and with positive day-time temperatures now through until the weekend, then the 1500-1800 travelling Addicks should be confident that the match will be played.

Wycombe's last outing, of course, was a very creditable point at Elland Road where they took the game to their hosts in the second-half and might have won the game. We will need to be on our game and will hopefully have one or two players back in contention, if not starting. The Chairboys are sitting deeply in the mire at present in 23rd and they are five points adrift. Gary Waddock is trying to settle the ship but they have managed only four wins all season, three of them at home.

We beat Wycombe 3-2 at the start of the season in a decent match in which we looked a cut above but were ultimately forced to hang on as Wycombe fought hard for a late equaliser. I hope our players remember that and that we take the chances that come our way to make this game safe. With something to do now in order to fight for second place, I am expecting a strong performance from our boys and believe we can get the points to hold third until we play Hartlepool at the Valley on Tuesday. This is how I see the rest of the League One games, assuming they go ahead...

Brentford v Carlisle United

I thought Brentford looked like a decent team at home but Carlisle have lost fewer away games than anyone outside the top six. I see this being very close and a draw looks a strong possibility.

Prediction; 1-1

Colchester United v Norwich City

Match of the Day in League One. Paul Lambert returns to his former club with the side he beat 7-1 as Colchester manger on the first day of the season. These games have a habit of being turned around in the return legs and Norwich are certainly playing well enough to win. However, Colchester are a big unit and their may be a fair level of local pride at stake and a determination to show Lambert he didn't necessarily leave for anything better. A draw or home win is probably the shrewd bet and I will take the draw.

Prediction; 1-1

Exeter City v Leeds United

The Leeds machine rolls into Devon on Saturday where Exeter defend a home record of only two defeats. Leeds may still be carrying a cup hangover and Jermaine Beckford could still be focusing on a move away from Leeds. That could see him strike again but I think this could be an upset if the Grecians can score first. It would certainly add some much-needed spice to the promotion battle with Leeds tied-up in two cup competitions.

Prediction; 2-1

Hartlepool v MK Dons

MK Dons are all or nothing away from home and this is the sort of trip where that gets you nothing. Hartlepool look solid mid-table but know that a run now might just give them something else to play for in the run-in.

Prediction; 2-0

Huddersfield Town v Southend United

A patchy away record comes up against a formidable home one - Huddersfield are still unbeaten at their place. looks a forgone conclusion to me.

Prediction; 3-0

Leyton Orient v Bristol Rovers

The O's are in trouble at the foot of the table and know that their home form is what will save them. Rovers have yet to draw away from hoe this season but that means they have won four and lost an unimpressive eight times. My money's on the O's.

Prediction; 2-0

Millwall v Southampton

My first instinct here is "come on you Lions!" However, Millwall are eight points clear of the Saints and are far ore of a play-off threat at this time than Pardew's side. A draw would probably suit us but Millwall play well against the better sides and are hard to beat at the New Den. I think this will be close and we might just see that draw.

Prediction; 2-2

Stockport County v Oldham Athletic

Greater Manchester derby here and Stockport are in a real mess. Bottom-of-the-table and ten points adrift, it's looking hopeless although relegation is a secondary concern to County fans who fear their club will be wound-up before the season's out.

Prediction; 0-2

Swindon Town v Gillingham

Winless away fro the Priestfield this term, following the Gills on the road can't be much fun and I suspect their turnout in Wiltshire will make our at Wycombe looks massive. The Gills will win away at some point this season and their best chance might be before Simeon Jackson departs for greener pastures. Against the odds, I'll take Gillingham for a Jackson-inspired upset here.

Prediction; 0-2

Tranmere Rovers v Yeovil Town

With only win away win to their season, Yeovil don't carry a great threat away from their Somerset enclave. Tranmere have notched five home wins and might just be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. they have a lot to do but this is very winnable.

Prediction; 2-0

Walsall v Brighton & Hove Albion

Cash-flow for the Saddlers must be reaching tipping point. They haven't played since before Christmas and will once again be roasting chestnuts in a bid to rid their field of permafrost. Brighton have a creditable 4-4-4 away record and could come very close here.

Prediction; 1-1

Wycombe Wanderers v Charlton Athletic

With Leeds and Norwich both having sticky fixtures, this is as good an opportunity as we are likely to get for awhile to break back against the Bookies favourites and I am taking our boys to do it. I hope Mooney is back in contention and it would be great to see Richardson or Youga make the bench for a second-half substitution. Deon Burton owes us a goal following his sending-off and he's most likely to open the scoring.

Prediction; 1-2

There, I hope that's not putting too positive a spin on this weekend's results.