Wycombe vs Charlton Prediction: Addicks could be set for more joy at Adams Park

Despite pushing champions Birmingham City for a large portion of the season, Wycombe Wanderers could not maintain form and failed to secure automatic promotion from League 1. They are coming into the play-offs at the worst time, having lost their last three matches, including a heavy 4-0 defeat against Sunday's (18:30, Sky Sports Main Event) opponents Charlton Athletic, who travel to Adams Park.

The Addicks have won six of their last eight so they have plenty of momentum behind them ahead of this semi-final first leg. Read on for my Wycombe vs Charlton predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Wycombe are without key players Dan Harvie and Josh Scowen due to injury, which comes as a huge blow for the Chairboys in the play-offs.

League 1 Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year Richard Kone scored an impressive 18 goals in the third tier this term, but his form has dried up as he is without a goal in his previous eight league appearances.

The Ivorian is still set to lead the Wycombe attack, and he might be aided by Ipswich Town loanee Cameron Humphreys and Daniel Udoh.

Fred Onyedinma and Luke Leahy have operated as wing-backs on occasion, and this may be something Mike Dodds considers against Charlton. However, after deploying a similar system against the Addicks last month in the 4-0 defeat, the Wycombe boss could go for a different approach.

Charlton are without forward Miles Leaburn due to injury, while Lloyd Jones, Thierry Small and Luke Berry are considered doubts to feature for the visitors. Nathan Jones is also missing Chuks Aneke due to the red card he received here last month.

Matt Godden, who bagged 18 goals in the regular League 1 season, is expected to lead the line and he comes into this clash with four goals in as many games, including the 4-0 win here on April 21.

Tennai Watson and Tyreece Campbell provided support to the striker against Burton Albion last time out and this might be the case again if Small does not recover in time to play.

Wycombe vs Charlton Odds

Wycombe have won three of their last six matches but come into this clash off the back of three defeats. They are 7/5 to take the advantage in this first leg.

The draw is on offer at 21/10, with two of Charlton's previous three stalemates coming on the road.

The Addicks are the same price (which has an implied probability of 32.3%) to win, which they have accomplishes in six of their latest eight attempts.

At least one team has failed to score in eight of Wycombe's past nine matches in League 1 and BTTS (both teams to score) - No is available at 10/11.

Draw No Bet - Charlton @ 11/10

The wheels look like they have fallen off for Wycombe. They have had a few highs since Dodds replaced Matt Bloomfield in February but that whole scenario derailed Wycombe's campaign as at one point they looked destined to finish second instead of Wrexham.

Some of the fans are unhappy with the football since Dodds took over, and struggle to see the Chairboys returning to the Championship via the play-offs. The hosts are low on confidence following three successive defeats, so this could be a free hit for an in-form Charlton side.

That being said, the old cliche is that form goes out the window for the play-offs. It serves as a clean slate and of course it is all about the performances in these games that matter. With the home advantage, Wycombe know they cannot afford a defeat to the Addicks like they did a few weeks ago, so there should be a determination to tighten up, which could see them hold out for a draw.

However, if anyone is to win this first leg, I can't see it being anyone but Charlton.

Matt Godden anytime goalscorer @ 21/10

Godden has enjoyed a fantastic season for Charlton and the play-offs appear to have come at the right time of him given his form since mid-March.

The former Coventry City forward has scored eight goals in his past 10 League appearances, including four in as many games heading into Sunday's contest. One of them was against Wycombe here only a few weeks ago, so this is another psychological boost he can carry into the match.

The hosts have been defensively vulnerable in their past three fixtures, which all started when they faced Charlton. Godden can come back to haunt them at Adams Park, which could be a killing blow for the Chairboys' promotion hopes.

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