Wycombe’s home match against Barnsley on Wednesday will have implications at both ends of the Championship table.
Wanderers are looking to avoid relegation back down in League One, whilst Barnsley are aiming to be a Premier League side for the first time since 1998.
The Chairboys earned their first win in four matches against Preston North End on Saturday, whilst the Tykes are on an incredible run of being unbeaten in 11 league games.
In that run, Barnsley won an impressive eight games which included seven on the bounce.
A win for Wycombe and a defeat for Sheffield Wednesday against Huddersfield Town, could see Wanderers mpve off the foot of the table since December 15.
However, a Barnsley victory could see them create even more daylight between themselves and those who are currently just outside of the play-off places.
So can Gareth Ainsworth produce another shock against a promotion-pushing side?
Or will Barnsley continue to go unbeaten?
We spoke to Doug O’Kane from the Barnsley Chronicle, who gave his views regarding the St Patrick’s Day fixture.
1. How impressed have you been with Barnsley this season?
DoK: “It’s been better than any of us – fans, reporters, and even club staff – could ever have imagined.
Joe Jacobson scored with a penalty to give Wanderers their equaliser in the 49th minute (Prime Media)
“After spending 311 days in the bottom three last season, then showing good form at the end to stay up in the final seconds, most hoped they could move into mid-table.
“But to be in the top six with 10 games to play, and playing consistently well with lots of high-performing star men, is well beyond expectations.”
2. Who are the key players that Wycombe need to be on the lookout for?
Dok: “There are a few.
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“Captain Alex Mowatt has been Player of the Year in my opinion with six goals and seven assists from central midfield.
“The wing-backs in Callum Styles and Callum Brittain add verve and width while centre-backs Michal Helik – who was called into the Poland squad for the first time this week – and Mads Andersen are in the league’s top 10 for aerial battles, clearances and interceptions.
3. As nobody expected Wycombe to be a Championship side, and as nobody expected Barnsley to be in the push for promotion, which side need the three points more?
Dok: “I suppose missing out on a win would be more damaging for Wycombe, as they are running out of chances to move up the table, but Barnsley also really need to be targeting three points if they are to finish in the play-off places.
“They face the bottom two this week, with a derby against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
“Although they will be tough games, six points and no injuries at the end of a very gruelling schedule is what they are looking for going into the international break."
4. Could Wycombe exploit Barnsley on Wednesday night?
Joe Jacobson is embarced by Scott Kashket following the former's goal (Prime Media)
Dok: “The Reds will be expecting a direct approach against a side who are strong from set-pieces.
“That used to be a real weakness for Barnsley, but they have massively improved against those kind of teams.
“They can’t afford to be complacent at all, or they could lose in Wycombe as they did on their last trip in 2018.”
This will be the eighth meeting between the two sides, with Wycombe only defeating the Tykes once in that time.
That was when the two teams last met at Adams Park on December 8, 2018, when Randell Williams scored the winner in a 1-0 win.
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