Preston vs. Wycombe Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 8 February 2025

Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Deepdale sees Championship side Preston North End taking on League One high-flyers, Wycombe Wanderers. Set for a 15:00 kickoff, this 4th round encounter promises an intriguing battle as both teams strive for cup glory.

Preston, the bookmakers’ favorite with odds at 2.18, will look to capitalize on their home advantage. Currently in the lower half of the Championship, their recent form (LWWDW) shows resilience, including a notable 2-1 win over Middlesbrough. Key player Milutin Osmajic, with 2 goals in this tournament, will be crucial in their attacking play.

Wycombe, second in League One and vying for direct promotion, come into the game with solid form (DWDWW). Despite being the underdogs, their clean sheets in two of the last five matches hint at a robust defense. Midfield dynamo Luke Leahy will need to be on top of his game to spark Wycombe’s attack.

Given Wycombe’s current form, a recommended bet is Wycombe to win or draw, presenting significant value at odds of 1.72.

With both teams poised to perform, this matchup is set to deliver an exciting cup tie at Deepdale.

Preston vs Wycombe Prediction & Betting Tip

Given the match tips and insights provided, our recommended betting tip is to back Wycombe to win or draw.
Here’s a concise table for clarity:

• Reason 1: Current Form: Wycombe’s recent form (DWDWW) is impressive, showcasing their resilience and consistency with strong performances.
• Reason 2: League Position: Wycombe sits second in League One and is vying for direct promotion, demonstrating their competitive edge this season.
• Reason 3: Defensive Strength: Wycombe has managed to keep clean sheets in two of their last five matches, indicating solid defensive capabilities.

Backing Wycombe to win or draw offers substantial value and reflects their strong form, making it a savvy bet for this FA Cup clash at Deepdale.

Preston vs Wycombe Odds

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds for this FA Cup clash between Preston and Wycombe:

Preston, playing at home, are the bookmakers’ favourites, but don’t discount Wycombe’s chances. Their solid recent performances make them a compelling underdog pick.

Given Wycombe’s excellent form and consistency, coupled with the fact the match is predicted to be evenly matched despite league differences, placing a bet on Wycombe to either win or draw could provide a valuable return with odds at 1.72.

Preston Team Analysis

Preston Recent Performance

Preston has shown some solid form coming into this FA Cup encounter with a Recent Form record of LWWDW. They have managed to score 1.40 goals per game on average in their last five outings, and they have kept one clean sheet in that span. With victories against Middlesbrough, Watford, and Charlton, they are proving to be quite resilient despite their lower-half Championship standing.

However, they fell to Blackburn and drew with Luton, highlighting some inconsistency. Keep an eye on Milutin Osmajic, who has been a key player for Preston, with 2 goals in this tournament already.

Preston Key Players

Preston’s recent form has been driven by key performances from their top scorer, Milutin Osmajic, who has scored 2 goals in this FA Cup competition already. Another key player to watch is Emil Riis Jakobsen, who provides a physical presence up front and can turn matches with his goal-scoring ability.
Their expected lineup features steady goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and a solid defensive unit with Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden. In midfield, Alistair McCann and Ryan Ledson will be crucial in controlling the game’s tempo.
Expected lineup for Preston:

• Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
• Defenders: Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jayden Meghoma, Andrew Hughes
• Midfielders: Alistair McCann, Ryan Ledson, Sam Greenwood
• Forwards: Mads Froekjaer-Jensen, Emil Riis Jakobsen

The key individual battles will likely feature Milutin Osmajic against Wycombe’s resilient defense, particularly their captain, Luke Leahy.

Preston Suspensions & Injuries

Preston will be facing some challenges in their upcoming FA Cup clash against Wycombe due to a few notable injuries:

These injuries may impact Preston’s squad depth, particularly in the defensive setup given Storey’s absence. The team will need to adapt to manage without these key players in their lineup. Despite these setbacks, Preston’s recent form and the depth in their squad offer a ray of hope for a strong performance.

Preston Tactics and Formation

Preston Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely to continue with a 4-4-2 formation, aimed at balancing defensive solidity and offensive versatility.
• Key Forward: Emil Riis Jakobsen, known for his goal-scoring prowess, will likely lead the attack.
• Midfield Quartet: Alistair McCann and Ryan Ledson are crucial for both ball-winning and distribution. Sam Greenwood and Mads Frøkjær-Jensen provide creative support.
• Defensive System: Freddie Woodman in goal, with a back four likely consisting of Andrew Hughes, Lewis Gibson, and possibly a reshuffled defense due to injuries.
• Notable Strategy: Strong attacking emphasis during set-pieces, leveraging Milutin Osmajic’s height and heading ability.

Wycombe Team Analysis

Wycombe Recent Performance

Wycombe have been in solid form recently, boasting a record of three wins and two draws in their last five matches. This form is captured by their recent performance abbreviation of DWDWW, indicating they are currently a tough side to beat.

They’ve scored an average of 1.40 goals per game across these five matches, showing consistency up front, and have secured two clean sheets, demonstrating defensive resilience.

Their key performer, Luke Leahy, has been pivotal, having scored two goals, the same as Preston’s Milutin Osmajic in this tournament. Wycombe’s recent strong performance puts them in a confident position going into this fourth-round FA Cup match.

Wycombe Key Players

Expected lineup for Wycombe:

• Goalkeeper: Franco Ravizzoli
• Defenders: Declan Skura, Caleb Taylor, Sonny Bradley, Luke Leahy
• Midfielders: Tyreeq Bakinson, Josh Scowen, Fred Onyedinma, Cameron Humphreys, Beryly Lubala
• Forward: Daniel Udoh

Key individuals to watch in this match include Luke Leahy, who has scored 2 goals in this tournament, showcasing his offensive capabilities from a defensive position. Josh Scowen in midfield will be instrumental in controlling the pace of the game and breaking up Preston’s attacks. A critical battle will be between Wycombe’s Leahy and Preston’s Osmajic, both having netted twice in the tournament so far. The performance of these players could prove decisive in the outcome.

Wycombe Suspensions & Injuries

Wycombe appears to have a clean bill of health heading into this FA Cup clash. Currently, there are no listed injuries or suspensions affecting their squad, which should provide them with a full-strength team to select from.

This lack of injuries and suspensions could serve as a significant advantage for Wycombe. With all key players available, Wycombe’s manager will have the flexibility to field his best possible lineup and strategically use substitutes to maintain high energy levels throughout the match.

This full availability might provide Wycombe with the edge they need to compete strongly against Championship opponents Preston.

Wycombe Tactics and Formation

Wycombe Wanderers’ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Wycombe typically adopts a 3-5-2 formation.
• Key Forward: Daniel Udoh, who has been in decent form recently.
• Midfield Presence: Tyreeq Bakinson, Josh Scowen, Fred Onyedinma, Cameron Humphreys, Beryly Lubala.
• Defensive Strength: Wycombe has managed two clean sheets in their last five games.
• Notable Strategy: They’ve demonstrated a strong defensive performance, which has helped them secure their position in the direct promotion zone of League One.

This blend of a sturdy defense and an adaptable midfield could be crucial in handling Preston’s attacking threats. Expect Wycombe to focus on solidifying their backline and executing counter-attacks using their midfield’s dynamism.

Preston vs Wycombe Head-to-Head Statistics

These recent encounters between Preston and Wycombe show a mixed bag of results, with both sides managing notable wins. Preston’s dominant 5-1 victory in 2018 stands out, but Wycombe has had the upper hand in the more recent meetings, winning twice in 2021. The away side will be hoping to draw confidence from their past performances going into this FA Cup clash at Deepdale.

Odds accurate as of 02.06.2025 15:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.