Wycombe continued their recent excellent form with an impressive 3-0 win at Port Vale last week, but now comes arguably their toughest task of the season when Derby County visit Adams Park on Saturday, February 11.
Derby, one of half-a-dozen former Premier League outfits now playing in League One, are undefeated in their last 15 league games stretching back to October, and including a run of six successive victories.
They sit fourth in the table and have conceded just 21 goals in 28 games, a record bettered only by leaders Sheffield Wednesday.
🆕 Blues matchday bundle is now available to buy for Wycombe vs Derby this Saturday! Purchase 1 ticket and get a drink, pie, parking and premium seating all for £40.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 9, 2023
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth on Derby boss Paul Warne and Wycombe's attacking threat
Automatic promotion is Derby’s aim, and it looks like a distinct possibility.
They hammered Morecambe 5-0 in their last game with the Republic of Ireland international David McGoldrick netting his third hat trick of the season to take his goals tally to 15.
Fellow striker James Collins, another Irish international, has nine goals.
However, they are not the only players who can pose a threat to Wanderers. There’s much-travelled Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on one wing and exciting youngster Lewis Dobbin, on loan from Everton, on the other.
Working towards Wycombe 🤜🐏#DCFC pic.twitter.com/8yzgzYKJdQ
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 9, 2023
In midfield, they have Conor Hourihane – another Irish international – who scored both goals when they beat the Chairboys 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Pride Park in September, a game in which Wanderers took the lead through Anis Mehmeti, recently sold to Bristol City.
With such an array of attacking talent in Derby’s lineup, Wanderers formidable defensive record will be put to the test, especially as they are likely to be without first-choice central defenders Alfie Mawson and Ryan Tafazolli, both injured.
READ MORE: 'Everyone is in contention' - Ainsworth on Wycombe's squad selection for Derby clash
Wycombe Wanderers meet founder members of the Football League, Derby County, on Saturday 11th February 2023. The two sides first met in a friendly in 1969 when a strong Brian Clough managed #dcfc beat then Isthmian League Wanderers 6-0. Derby would win the English League in 1972. pic.twitter.com/POl3vNu1Cs
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) February 9, 2023
Although Wanderers are in great form themselves – 18 points from their last nine games – Gareth Ainsworth’s men have a disappointing record against the division’s top six teams.
They have lost six of their eight games against the leading promotion contenders, their only wins coming against Barnsley and Ipswich Town.
Given the recent history between the clubs - Derby controversially dodged relegation from the Championship two seasons ago at Wycombe’s expense - this is one of the most eagerly awaited games of the season at Adams Park and should attract a near-capacity crowd.
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