Forest Greenvs.Stockport

Forest Green fell to the bottom of the table when losing last time out, while Stockport will head into this match two points behind Mansfield Town at the summit.

Match preview

Indeed, Forest Green are facing the unwanted prospect of back-to-back relegations, having finished rock-bottom in their first ever season in England's third tier last time out.

The Green find themselves in that position once again after losing 2-0 away to Doncaster Rovers last weekend, having been dominated from start to finish at the Eco-Power Stadium. The visitors did not record a single shot on target across the encounter, with Luke Molyneux finally breaking the deadlock after the hour mark before Richard Keogh's late own goal.

Overall, Forest Green have improved since appointing Steve Cotterill as their manager in late January. The former Portsmouth boss won four and drew two of his opening 10 games in charge, giving them a fighting chance of survival.

However, losing 1-0 at home to their relegation rivals Sutton United in their previous outing was a bitter pill to swallow. Those two sides both trail Colchester United - who have games in hand - by one point heading into the weekend, meaning results must turn quickly if they are to avoid falling out of the Football League.

Stockport, meanwhile, are hoping to return to League One for the first time since the 2004-05 season, having spent 11 seasons outside of the Football League between 2011 and 2022.

The Hatters narrowly missed out on successive promotions when losing on penalties to Carlisle United in last season's play-off final, but Dave Challinor's side have been remarkably consistent for most of this campaign and are on the cusp of getting over the line heading into the final stretch.

Having won just one of their previous seven matches prior to hosting promotion rivals Milton Keynes Dons last weekend, few could have foreseen Stockport's hugely impressive 5-0 victory coming. Goals from Callum Camps, Paddy Madden and Isaac Olaofe gave their side a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time, before they extended their drubbing after the break.

That victory moved Stockport four points clear of fourth-placed MK Dons, while possessing two games in hand on their most recent opponents. As such, at this stage of proceedings, it would represent a major disappointment if Challinor's side do not find themselves competing in the third tier next season, especially with fixtures against the bottom three teams in the division all still to come.

Forest Green Rovers League Two form:

D

L

W

W

L

L

Stockport County League Two form:

D

D

W

D

D

W

Team News

Having failed to force Doncaster's goalkeeper into a single save while only managing 33% possession during their defeat, Cotterill may look to make a few changes in order to improve his side's chances against one of the strongest teams in the division.

Fankaty Dabo - who was hugely criticised by Cotterill's predecessor Troy Deeney - could come into the starting XI after appearing from the bench in Yorkshire, allowing Dominic Thompson to switch to his favoured left side.

Stockport, meanwhile, are unlikely to make any changes after producing one of their best performances and results of the season against MK Dons last time out.

Challinor has seemingly gone all out attack in recent weeks with a front three of Madden, Olaofe and Kyle Wootton, with Camps, Nick Powell and Lemonheigh-Evans all capable of scoring themselves from midfield areas.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Reyes; Inniss, Keogh, Robson; Dabo, Bunker, Rodriguez, Thompson; Osadebe, McAllister; Doidge

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchiffe; Kane, Horsfall, Pye, Touray; Lemonheigh-Evans, Powell, Camps; Olaofe, Wootton, Madden

We say: Forest Green Rovers 0-4 Stockport County

Stockport's emphatic victory against their promotion rivals MK Dons last time out could prove to be a hugely important one, not least as it is likely to breathe new fire into their final eight matches of the season.

Forest Green have lost successive games in recent weeks and we would be amazed if that is not extended to three by the time the referee's full-time whistle blows on Friday, and they may be lucky to avoid a thrashing.

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