Preview: Bournemouth v Wycombe

Wycombe Wanderers travel to the South coast this Saturday to take on Bournemouth at Dean Court.



The Cherries are 23rd in League Two with only 7 points on the board after 25 games. This meagre points total is because they were given a 17 point penalty before the start of the campaign. However, only Accrington, Barnet and Grimsby have gained fewer points than Bournemouth on the field of play this season so the Cherries would be at the wrong end of the table regardless of their points deduction.

On Monday Bournemouth appointed their third manager so far this season. After parting company with Kevin Bond in September and then Jimmy Quinn on New Year's Eve, the Cherries have appointed former player Eddie Howe as their new boss. Howe made over 270 appearances for the club as a player and was in charge of the first team in a caretaker capacity during their last two matches.

Bournemouth's recent form couldn't be much worse. They've lost their last 4 league games with a home defeat to Barnet coming between losses on the road at Brentford, Darlington and Rotherham.

The Cherries have scored 26 league goals (10 at home) and have conceded 37 (9 at home).

14 different players have scored for Bournemouth in all competitions this season. Their top scorers with 4 goals each are Danny Hollands, Brett Pitman, Lee Bradbury and the now retired Darren Anderton.



Wycombe Wanderers are 6 points clear at the top of League Two with 49 points from 25 games.

The Chairboys come into this game having suffered only their second league defeat of the season last Saturday, losing 1-0 at home to Grimsby Town. A makeshift Wycombe defence including two debutants were fortunate to only concede a single goal after clearing the ball off the line on 3 occasions.

A model of consistency earlier in the season, Wycombe's recent form is patchy and they have only won 2 of their last 7 league games. Their previously impregnable defence has only kept one clean sheet during this period and when you consider that their goal scoring record is no better than average, it's no surprise that results have suffered.

The Chairboys have scored 33 league goals (13 away from home) and have conceded 15 (6 away from home)

12 different players have scored for Wycombe in all competitions and the top marksman is Matt Harrold with 10 goals. Next highest scorer is Chris Zebroski who has found the net 6 times, while on-loan teenager Angelo Balanta, defender Mike Williamson and last season's top scorer Scott McGleish all have 3 goals to their name.



Current League Form

Last Five League Games
Bournemouth: WLLLL - 3 points
Wycombe: WDDWL - 8 points


Last Five Home Games
Bournemouth: DDWWL - 8 points


Last Five Away Games
Wycombe: DWLWD - 8 points



Earlier this season Wycombe defeated Bournemouth 3-1 at Adams Park with Matt Harrold, Chris Zebroski and Scott McGleish on target for the Chairboys and Danny Hollands finding the net for the Cherries.

It's almost 5 years since Wycombe visited Bournemouth and on that occasion they lost 1-0 to a Warren Cummings goal. The visit before that was a different matter, with Wycombe recording a memorable 2-1 win courtesy of a last minute winner from Jermaine McSporran.


Previous Games at Dean Court

1974/75 FAC Bournemouth 1 Wycombe 2
1994/95 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 0
1995/96 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 3
1996/97 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 1
1997/98 Lg1 Bournemouth 0 Wycombe 0
1998/99 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 0
1999/00 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 0
2000/01 Lg1 Bournemouth 2 Wycombe 0
2001/02 Lg1 Bournemouth 1 Wycombe 2
2003/04 Lg1 Bournemouth 1 Wycombe 0



Ref Watch

This week's referee is Mr. Iain Williamson.

Mr Williamson was in charge when Wycombe beat Port Vale 4-2 at Adams Park earlier this season. In that game he showed 4 yellow cards, 3 for the Valiants and 1 for Matt Harrold. He has been the man in the middle for 19 games so far this campaign, during which he has shown a remarkable 84 yellow cards and 4 reds.



Wycombe Team News

David McCracken is doubtful through injury.

Lewis Hunt will be out for another month with a broken bone in his foot.


Bournemouth Team News

Danny Hollands is suspended for this game.

Lee Bradbury is out with ankle ligament damage.

Scott Guyett is very doubtful with an injured hamstring.



Table-topping Wycombe will hopefully be feeling wounded by last Saturday's defeat and will be keen to reassert themselves with an improved performance and more importantly, all three points.

Bournemouth may have a new manager in place for this game but they also have injury and suspension problems and languish at the wrong end of the table regardless of their points deduction.


Prediction

Bournemouth 0 Wycombe 1

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