Just days after their Wembley disappointment, Wycombe Wanderers return to League One action on Wednesday, when they host promotion chasers Derby County.
While Wycombe are destined for a mid-table finish, their visitors can take one step closer to sealing a cherished top-two place with victory at Adams Park.
Match preview
© Reuters
The two leading clubs in League One went head-to-head when Derby County travelled down to Fratton Park last week, when they led twice against Portsmouth but were pegged back both times by their title rivals.
A 2-2 draw leaves the Rams in second place, eight points behind Pompey but still leading third-placed Bolton Wanderers by one, so automatic promotion to the Championship is within their grasp.
Paul Warne's side have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six matches, and ahead of their midweek trip to Wycombe, they have lost just six times away from home this term.
December's reverse fixture at Pride Park ended in a 1-1 draw, with Tom Barkhuizen belatedly opening the scoring after 83 minutes, before Luke Leahy netted a stoppage-time spot kick for the visitors.
On this occasion, Derby should be far fresher than their hosts, having had the weekend off while Wanderers were facing Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy final.
Although there may be little left to play for in the league, Wycombe still had a chance to make it a memorable season on Sunday, but their first-ever final in the competition ultimately ended in failure.
Harrison Burrows scored twice - the latter from a dramatic looping cross - as Peterborough emerged 2-1 winners at Wembley: all three goals came late on, with Burrows bagging his brace either side of Dale Taylor's volleyed leveller.
The Chairboys must now rouse themselves for the rest of their League One campaign, in which they most recently played out a goalless draw with Blackpool to sit 14th in the table.
After ending up ninth in the third tier last season, the best they can realistically manage is a top-half finish this year, and a win on Wednesday would take Wycombe above 12th-placed Exeter City on goal difference.
Following their setback on Sunday, Matt Bloomfield's men are now three games without a win, but despite having home advantage they are not necessarily expected to end that run against high-flying Derby.
Team News
Wycombe will be without full-back Kane Vincent-Young for the rest of the season, due to a quad injury, along with Brandon Hanlan and Saxon Earley.
Garath McCleary returned to Wanderers' lineup at Wembley after missing the previous four matches, while Gideon Kodua and Bez Lubala are both available after being ineligible for the EFL Trophy final.
The versatile Luke Leahy is the Chairboys' top scorer with eight goals this season, followed by Lubala on seven, while former Republic of Ireland striker James Collins leads the way for Derby County with 13.
The visitors are burdened by a long injury list: Callum Elder (groin) and Joe Ward (knee) - the latter of whom scored both goals against Portsmouth - face fitness tests, alongside Max Bird and Tom Barkhuizen (both calf).
Dwight Gayle, Craig Forsyth and Ryan Nyambe are all ruled out, while experienced centre-back Sonny Bradley must serve the last game of his three-match suspension.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Lonwijk, Tafazolli, Leahy; Scowen, Potts, Butcher; McCleary, Lubala, Sadlier
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Sibley; Ward, Adams, Smith, Blackett-Taylor; Mendez-Laing, Collins
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Derby County
As Wycombe could carry a Wembley hangover into Wednesday's game, a well-rested Derby County side should take advantage and improve their promotion prospects. With several players potentially back at Paul Warne's disposal, the Rams can bolster a fine record on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
