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

The third tier has not been kind to the hosts so far, as Forest Green find themselves in the relegation zone.

Match preview

The FA Cup first round offered Forest Green some respite last weekend from their baptism of fire in a first ever appearance at this level.

A win over seventh-tier South Shields was fully expected, but their previous league encounter saw them register zero shots on target away at Barnsley in a 2-0 loss.

They are not the sort of stats you want to be racking up once you become embroiled in a relegation scrap in the EFL.

They are only a point off the foot of the table and have the joint-worst defensive record in the division, having now gone five without a win in the league.

Three of their last four wins have come in cup competitions but they have failed to take any momentum from those successes into League One fixtures.

Realistically though, it was always going to be difficult for manager Ian Burchnall, managing at this level for the first time, to replace the then Watford-bound Rob Edwards following the Welshman's success in guiding them to the League Two title last season.

Wycombe were dealt a much more difficult task in the cup last week than their upcoming opponents, but still faced a side in the division below.

Gareth Ainsworth did not change much of his side for the visit of Walsall in that first round tie, but they were still eliminated.

That result followed on from a run of three league games without a win which has scuppered their hopes for promotion.

Collecting just two points from games against Port Vale, Morecambe and Cambridge United has seen them fall into the bottom half after being right in amongst the playoff places midway through October after three straight wins.

This will be the first league clash between the sides in five seasons, as Wycombe did the double over Forest Green in League Two in 2017-18.

Forest Green Rovers League One form:

W

L

D

L

D

L

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

D

W

L

D

L

W

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

W

W

W

L

D

D

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

D

L

Team News

Jordan Moore-Taylor could return soon for Forest Green, but his defensive partner Udoka Godwin-Malfie remains out.

Midfield duo David Davis and Reece Brown will also be sidelined with injuries picked up at the start of October.

Burchnall made just three changes to the side for the trip to South Shields, so a similar lineup could start here.

Wycombe's Dominic Gape will hope to return to the side soon after his injury against Oxford United a month ago, but Josh Scowen is not ready for a comeback yet.

Ryan Tafazolli made his first appearance since September in the cup last week, and despite defeat, will hope he can retain his place in the side.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Thomas; Bernard, Marques, Cargill; O'Keeffe, Hendry, Bunker, Peart-Harris, Boyes; Wickham, Matt

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; McCarthy, Tafazolli, Mawson, Jacobsen, Obita; Freeman, Wing, McCleary, Mehmeti; Vokes

We say: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe will be determined to get their playoff push back on track, and defeat in the FA Cup last week means full focus can be placed on doing so.

Previews by email