The second EFL League One Play-off Semi-Final sees sixth-placed Fleetwood Town play third-placed Wycombe Wanderers who got into the playoffs through points-per-game (PPG).
Match Preview: Fleetwood Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Fleetwood’s Journey Into the Play-Offs
Joey Barton‘s men managed to finish sixth in League One after 35 games and accumulating 60 points, one more than seventh-placed Peterborough United.
Fleetwood were unbeaten in their last five games before the pandemic put an end to League One football.
Four out of their last five games were wins beating Peterborough, Sunderland, Portsmouth and Wycombe all play-off rivals.
Wycombe’s Route to the Play-Offs
Gareth Ainsworth‘s men made the Play-offs through PPG as they had a game in hand and finished the campaign on 59 points.
Before the stoppage in the season, Wycombe had won three out of their last five games and had been beaten 1-0 by Fleetwood back in February 1-0.
Barton: I Cannot Wait For Kick-Off
Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton spoke with the club’s website ahead of the EFL League One Play-Off Semi-Final against Wycombe.
“We’ve prepared for the best of them and we hope to give the best of out of ourselves on Friday night.
“After Friday night we will see where we are at and three days later we’ve got to go out and do the same again.
“We are really looking forward to it and we cannot wait for the game to kick-off.”
Ainsworth: They Have Some Really Talented Players
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said he is fully aware of the talent of his opposite number.
“Joey has been super complimentary. I’ve been in the job for eight years, he is in his second season in charge and made the play-offs for the Championship,” he said.
“People judge Joey Barton on other things more than football sometimes; while he has this passion that can sometimes spill over, he has done an incredible job to be in the play-offs for the Championship.
“It’s his first full season in charge. Wow, you’ve got to give some respect to that. They’ve got a good side and some really talented players.
“They’re a good club, run really well, who have come out of non-league. They’ve got a good investor who has backed Joey with some good signings. But Joey has to put that team together and playing football – he has got them playing some really good stuff.”
Prediction
As there will be no fans in attendance, home advantage can be thrown out the window as we saw in the EFL League Two Play-offs.
Fleetwood were quality before the break, stringing together vital wins against play-off rivals.
Wycombe have a lot of quality in their side but that’s the same with Fleetwood. It is hard to call but it will be a good game regardless.
Fleetwood Town 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers
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