Wanderers make their first ever trip to the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday to renew acquaintances with old foes Colchester United, but the need for points stretches further than simply claiming bragging rights over long-standing rivals.
Gary Waddock's Wycombe side simply cannot afford to drop many more points in their battle for League One survival following three consecutive draws, while the U's need a win to boost their stuttering form which has seen them claim just two points from five games.
Colchester are embroiled in a fight to claim a place in the play-offs in manager Aidy Boothroyd's first season in charge, and could have been strong contenders for automatic promotion had they not recently slipped off the pace.
And Saturday's game has the potential to be one of the highlights of the campaign in terms of entertainment. The Essex side have lost just twice at home all season, while Wanderers have lost only once on the road since the turn of the year, and with both sides desperate for a victory, it could be an end-to-end encounter to savour.
Of course, the rivalry between the two clubs will only add spice to the affair, but Blues midfielder Dean Keates says his team-mates are only concentrating on the importance of recording a victory to boost their survival hopes:
"Our away form has been better than our home form and hopefully we'll pick up three points," he told
Chairboys Player. "We need the points to stay up, they need the points to get into the play-offs, so there'll be two different kinds of pressure and whoever handles it best will pick up the points."
Please note that tickets can no longer be purchased from Wycombe Wanderers, and will now only be available from the Weston Homes Stadium.
Opposition View
Aidy Boothroyd, speaking to Colchester's official website.
"Isn't it nice that we're expected to win? With a home record like ours, we're expected to win, and we've been in the top six all season. But with success comes a different kind of pressure.
"They (Wycombe) have got nothing to lose; their shackles can come off and they can relax a little bit. We've got an expectancy around us - we can't shy away from that, but it' a nice place to be."
Team News
Wycombe: Alan Bennett could return to the starting line-up after rejoining the Blues on loan from Brentford on Thursday, and Gary Waddock has no fresh injury worries as his side prepare for the trip east. Only long-term absentees Ian Westlake and Leon Johnson remain on the sidelines.
Colchester: The U's are likely to hand a debut to defender Franck Queudrue, who signed on loan from Premiership side Birmingham City on deadline day, and Kayode Odejayi returns to the squad after injury.
Officials
Referee: Mr S COOK
Assistant: Mr W ATKIN
Assistant: Mr I COOPER
Fourth Official: Mr M GEORGE
Mr Cook's last involvement in a Wanderers fixture was the 5-2 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in December, while he also officiated in the Blues' trips to Shrewsbury and Exeter last season.
Ticket News
Adults: £18
Seniors (60+): £13
Young Adults (21 and under): £12
Juniors (16 and under): £10
Under 12s: £5
Under 7s: £3
Please note: tickets can now only be purchased on arrival at Colchester.
Away Guide
Click
here for a comprehensive guide to the trip to the Weston Homes Stadium.
Listen At Home
Ben Campbell and Matt Cecil will be the men behind the microphones from start to finish on
Chairboys Player, providing uninterrupted commentary of the fixture from 2.55pm. Click
here to sign up to the service.
To contact the media team throughout the game and have your views broadcast on air, simply email
media@wwfc.com.
Meanwhile, you can also receive text updates straight to your phone by sending CLUB WYCW GOLD to 88442, and you'll be updated with team news and goal flashes as they happen. Messages cost 25p each, and the service can be cancelled at any time by sending STOP to the same number.
