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

Ian Burchnall's side can leapfrog their visitors with a win this weekend, but the Dons could escape the relegation zone altogether if they claim all three points in the Cotswolds.

Match preview

Forest Green head into Saturday's clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City in the FA Cup, despite giving a good account of themselves against the Championship side.

FGR's winless run now stands at six games in all competitions following Tuesday's loss, with one draw and five defeats coming since their last victory, which occurred against local rivals Cheltenham Town back on December 10.

Having won just two of their previous 14 league outings, Rovers find themselves three points from safety in the third tier, with many of their relegation rivals boasting one or two games in hand.

Burchnall's men have the second-worst defensive record in League One, while only Cheltenham have a poorer offensive record, underlining Forest Green's struggles at both ends of the pitch.

After gaining promotion last year, it was always going to be difficult for the third-tier newcomers to adapt to life in League One, but they could find themselves back in the fourth tier if the negative results continue.

MK Dons finished third in League One last season - one point shy of Rotherham United and three points behind champions Wigan Athletic - but they eventually fell to Wycombe Wanderers in the playoffs, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

Following an impressive 2021-22 campaign, the Dons were expected to make another push for promotion this season, but they have failed to live up to expectations in 2022-23.

Indeed, Mark Jackson's men sit third from bottom in the table having lost 15 of their 25 league games this term, meaning their chances of emulating last season's heroics are slim at best.

After losing each of their opening three League One clashes this season, MK Dons endured a five-game losing streak in October before suffering five defeats in eight outings between November and January, highlighting their fall from grace.

The Dons can take some confidence from the fact that they have won four of their previous 10 away encounters in the league, although they head to the Bolt New Lawn on a three-match winless run.

Forest Green Rovers League One form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

D

L

MK Dons League One form:

L

W

W

L

L

D

MK Dons form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

After ringing the changes against Birmingham in midweek, Burchnall is expected to revert back to a more familiar starting XI as Forest Green return to league action.

First-choice goalkeeper Luke McGee will replace Lewis Thomas between the sticks this weekend, while centre-back Oliver Casey should come back into the side after starting on the bench in Tuesday's FA Cup tie.

After scoring nine goals in 20 appearances for Rovers, experienced striker Connor Wickham left the club earlier this month following the expiration of his short-term contract, so Josh March is expected to lead the line on Saturday.

As for MK Dons, they suffered a trio of injury blows during last weekend's goalless draw against Lincoln City, with Warren O'Hora, Ethan Robson and Nathan Holland leaving the field before the final whistle.

O'Hora left Stadium MK on crutches after being replaced by Zak Jules, while Robson appeared to be troubled by a hamstring issue, but Holland's injury is not feared to be serious.

Will Grigg and Bradley Johnson have both bagged five league goals for the Dons this season, so Jackson will be hoping that one - if not both - of his leading scorers can find the back of the net this weekend.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; Godwin-Malife, Casey, Cooper, Robson; McGeouch, Peart-Harris, Stevenson; Garrick, March, McAllister

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Watson, Tucker, Jules, Harvie; McEachran, Johnson; Barry, Devoy, Grigg; Eisa

We say: Forest Green Rovers 1-0 MK Dons

This is destined to be a close-fought battle between two sides struggling at the bottom end of the table, meaning Forest Green and MK Dons are likely to play out a tense, low-scoring encounter.

Given that Rovers have won two of their previous four home games in the league, the hosts could sneak another slender victory on Saturday, having produced a spirited performance against Championship opposition last time out.

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