Wycombe Wanderers v Oxford United
Adams Park, Saturday 21st August, 3pm
Wanderers go head-to-head with local rivals Oxford United for the first time in four years at Adams Park on Saturday.
The Blues will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season after picking up a point at Stockport last weekend, the first time they have avoided defeat at Edgeley Park in five years.
New keeper Nikki Bull was the star performer in Cheshire and is yet to concede a goal in the league. Fellow new signing Andy Sandell made his league debut at Stockport as Gary Waddock's men look increasingly impenetrable at the back.
Oxford United returned to the Football League after being promoted via the play-offs last season, but are still to register their first win of the new campaign. A goalless draw away to Burton Albion on the opening day was followed by a 2-1 home defeat against Bury last week. However, a resounding 6-1 rout over League One Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup proves Chris Wilder's side should not be underestimated.
"Chris Wilder has done an excellent job and put a good group of players together," Gary Waddock told Chairboys Player. "Always with teams that gain promotion, they've got a bit of momentum going into the new campaign and they've shown that.
"They're well organised and play a certain way - we're in for a really tough test."
With Oxford having spent the last four seasons languishing outside the Football League, Saturday sees the Blues and the U's rekindle their rivalry. The pair last met in the FA Cup in November 2006 when goals from Will Antwi and Stefan Oakes helped Wycombe to a 2-1 win, while the last league meeting ended in the same scoreline nine months earlier.
If United fail to win on Saturday, they'll only be the second ever team to be promoted to the Football League via the play-offs who have not won any of their opening three league games: a statistic the Chairboys will be keen to bestow on their local rivals. For Gary Waddock, however, picking up three points will be all that matters.
Call 01494 441118 or click here to book your tickets for Saturday's clash with the U's.
Build-up
Gary relishing derby day
Kev wants battling Blues
Player rewind: Oxford 2006
Mooney: why I made the move
Live Oxford commentary
Blooms' blog: part two
Opposition View
Oxford boss Chris Wilder talking to Yellow Player:
"They [Wycombe] will be setting themselves out to win the league, and there's no doubt about it from my point of view, watching them in pre-season, the players they've got, the players they've brought in, and having Gary [Waddock] and Martin [Kuhl] who are a real good partnership and know their stuff.
"It's a good club, it's a good team and real stiff opposition for us. We're going to have to play well, we understand that, and if we do then we give ourselves a chance of winning the game."
Team News
Wycombe: Gary Waddock has a full squad to pick from after striker Stuart Beavon came through Tuesday's reserve game with Brentford unscathed. Meanwhile, centre-back Dave Winfield has recovered from a hamstring strain which kept him out of the games against Millwall in the Carling Cup and Stockport in the league.
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Winfield is available again |
Oxford: With no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about, U's boss Chris Wilder is likely to name an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive game this season.
Officials
Referee: Mr A TAYLOR
Assistant: Mr D RICHARDSON
Assistant: Mr A GARRATT
Fourth Official: Mr D MCDERMID
From the Premier League to npower League 2, Anthony Taylor, who was in charge of Sunderland v Birmingham last Saturday, will make his Adams Park debut at the weekend.
Ticket News
Click here for all the ticket details for Saturday's match.
Around The Ground
Scores Bar: Open from 12pm.
Vere Suite: Open from 12pm. Entry: Members - Free. Non Members - £2. Season ticket holders - £20. Non season ticket Holders - £45. For more information ring 01494 455705.
Woodlands Lounge: Open from 12pm. Entry: Members - Free. Non Members - £5. New season ticket holders - £85. Existing season ticket holders - £70. For more information ring 01494 455705.
Peter's Pies Van: Open from 9am.
Ticket Offices: Open from 10am.
For info on how to become a Blues Card member, click here.
For Park and Ride information, click here.
Listen At Home:
Chairboys Player will, as always, be providing live and exclusive commentary from the npower League 2 clash with Bill Turnbull & Ben Campbell reporting from Adams Park throughout the game. Click here for your FREE demo.
You can also receive text updates straight to your mobile phone by sending CLUB WYCW GOLD to 88442 and you'll receive team news, goal updates and scores around the division at a cost of 25p per message. To cancel the service at any time, just send STOP to the same number.
BBC Three Counties Radio (98FM) will be providing a pre-match, half-time and full-time report from the game and finally, don't forget to check wwfc.com after the game for a full report and reaction from the Wycombe camp.
By Ben Edwards
