Preview: Forest Green Rovers vs. Barrow - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side, who are 22nd in the table, will enter the match off the back of a 5-0 win over Colchester United, while 15th-placed Barrow played out a goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.

Match preview

Forest Green were relegated from League One last season, and there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough start to the 2023-24 campaign for the club.

Rovers suffered six straight defeats in the league between September 9 and October 7 during a difficult period, but they managed to beat Walsall on penalties in the EFL Trophy on October 10 before recording a thumping 5-0 victory over Colchester four days later.

The win proved to be their first in League Two since the start of September, and they would have been eyeing another victory on Saturday against Mansfield Town, but the fixture was postponed following a late pitch inspection due to torrential rain.

David Horseman's side have won three, drawn one and lost nine of their 13 league games this season to collect 10 points, which has left them down in 22nd position in the table.

Forest Green's five-goal success over Colchester last time out would certainly have boosted confidence, and they will now take on a team that has not been victorious since the end of September.

Indeed, Barrow are currently on a five-game winless run in all competitions, picking up just three points from the last 15 available during a disappointing run of form.

Pete Wild's side are currently 15th in the table, boasting 18 points from their opening 13 matches, which has left them eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Barrow have been in League Two since the 2020-21 campaign, and they finished ninth last term, 13 points outside of the playoff positions.

The Bluebirds are not expected to push for a playoff spot this season, but they have only lost three of their opening 13 games of the season, which is the same number as division leaders Stockport County.

Barrow recorded a 4-0 victory over Forest Green when the two teams last locked horns in April 2022, but their last meeting at the New Lawn ended in a 2-0 success for Rovers.

Forest Green Rovers League Two form:

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Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

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Barrow League Two form:

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Barrow form (all competitions):

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Team News

Forest Green did not pick up any fresh fitness problems against Colchester last time out, but three of their goals in that contest came from two players who featured off the bench.

Indeed, Mathew Stevens netted twice in the latter stages of the clash with the Essex outfit, and he is now expected to come into the XI for Tuesday's contest.

Troy Deeney has scored four times in League Two this term and is also set to feature in the final third, while Kyle McAllister is likely to retain his position in a wide area.

As for Barrow, head coach Wild could select the same XI that started the goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon.

The visitors should continue in a 3-5-2 formation, with Emile Acquah again featuring in the final third of the field, and the 23-year-old will be bidding to add to the five league goals that he has already managed this term.

Ben Whitfield operated in an advanced area on Saturday and that is again expected to be the case here, with Gerard Garner set to be named among the substitutes once again.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Lavinier, Welch, Bernard, Dabo; McAllister, Maddox, Bunker, Omotoye; Stevens, Deeney

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Farman; Chester, Ray, Canavan; Worrall, Spence, Campbell, Gotts, Newby; Acquah, Whitfield

We say: Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Barrow

Forest Green were excellent against Colchester last time out, and if they can find a similar performance here, it is likely to be too much for Barrow. It would not be a surprise to see a draw here, or indeed a Barrow win, but we just have a feeling that the hosts will edge this contest.

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