Cheltenham Town face high-flying Wycombe Wanderers in a huge Sky Bet League Two encounter at the LCI Rail Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Robins romped to a 5-1 win over Port Vale in the last game at the LCI Rail Stadium before a narrow 1-0 defeat at Lincoln City in midweek.
Wycombe are the in-form team in the division with five wins in their last six games and 16 points gained as they push for the promotion places.
The Opposition:
Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth expects a stern test from Cheltenham Town – and has spoken of his respect for Robins’ manager Gary Johnson.
The teams drew 3-3 at Adams Park earlier this season – when a late goal from Brian Graham snatched a dramatic point for Cheltenham.
“Cheltenham are a very good side, a big side. I remember from Adams Park earlier this season they have a lot of big boys in their team.
“Lincoln are another big side in this division and Lincoln and Cheltenham played each other in the week so we will be looking at that video.
“Gary Johnson [Cheltenham manager] has managed at a higher level and I have a lot of respect for Gary and we go back a long way.
“We had a good smile to each other with the 3-3 draw at home this season. Cheltenham for me got away with that with a push on Ebere Eze just before their equaliser at the end.
“I thought it was going to be our day but it doesn’t work like that sometimes and you have to finish the job and Gary has been around a long, long time.
“He knows how to play the game but if my players can perform how they have in recent weeks then we will hopefully get something out of the game and that is important to me.”
Team News:
Cheltenham team news: Manager Gary Johnson will have plenty of selection decisions to make with Joe Morrell and Jake Andrews pushing for a recall after missing the defeat at Sincil Bank. Jordan Cranston is back in first team training and only a matter of weeks from a return.
Wycombe team news: Wycombe have no new injury concerns for the clash with Scott Kashket (thigh) unlikely to feature while Sam Saunders and Sido Jombati are close to a return. Anthony Stewart has missed the last two months with a calf injury while Michael Harriman (leg) also remains sidelined.
The man in the middle:
Referee Gavin Ward – who has taken charge of 34 games this season and handed out 93 yellow cards and four red cards - will take charge of the league clash at the LCI Rail Stadium. He has refereed the Robins twice this season – league defeats at Newport County and Stevenage. He will be assisted by Simon Shaw, Andrew Hendley and fourth official Robert Dabbs.
Last time we met:
28/10/17 – Wycombe Wanderers 3-3 Cheltenham (L2)
08/04/17 – Wycombe Wanderers 3-3 Cheltenham (L2)
30/12/16 – Cheltenham 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers (L2)
11/04/15 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Cheltenham (L2)
22/11/14 – Cheltenham 1-4 Wycombe Wanderers (L2)
Ticket Information:
Fans are advised that tickets will be available from the Ticket Office on Friday and on matchday.You can also buy online by clicking HERE
On matchday the Ticket Office will be open from 12noon, with limited seating available for fans wishing to pay by card. Collections will also be open from 12noon.
All remaining seats will be available for cash purchasers only on the day from the turnstiles from 1.30pm.
Away fans can buy tickets on the day of the game, with cash sales from the away turnstiles.
As always, fans collecting pre-paid tickets are asked to arrive early to avoid any queues and to enable easy access into the LCI Rail Stadium.
Supporters are advised the car park at the LCI Rail Stadium is FULL and no matchday sales will be available. Only those with pre-booked passes should park at the stadium.