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

The visitors, meanwhile, are winless in their last nine league games and will travel to Greater Manchester at the foot of the table.

Match preview

Despite reaching the play-off semi-finals last season, Salford have endured a disastrous campaign so far. Any hopes of finally escaping League Two at the fifth attempt have been completely dashed by the Ammies averaging less than one point per game in their opening 25 matches.

As such, it was little surprise to see the club's hierarchy sack Neil Wood after losing 5-1 at home to Tranmere Rovers on Boxing Day. The 40-year-old enjoyed a superb debut season at the club, but an eight match winning run ultimately led Manchester United's 'Class of 1992' to relieve Wood from his duties.

However, caretaker boss Simon Wiles has so far failed to steady the ship, suffering back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Grimsby Town and Accrington Stanley. Dean Holden, Paul Hurst and Ryan Giggs are widely rumoured to be the leading candidates to replace Wood in the managerial dugout, with a quick decision surely required if they are to avoid becoming embroiled in relegation danger.

Returning to winning ways against the bottom team in the division on Saturday would certainly help with their current predicament. Only six points separate the two sides, while Sutton United - who are five points behind Salford in the first relegation spot - are involved in FA Cup duties this weekend. There is a clear opportunity for Salford to move away from the bottom two.

Forest Green have recently changed managers themselves, replacing David Horseman with former Watford striker Troy Deeney. The 35-year-old joined Forest Green as a player during the summer, but he has been appointed as head coach on a permanent basis.

It is quite the challenge for Deeney in his first managerial job, with him inheriting the Green Army inside the relegation positions. Having only suffered relegation from the second tier last season, it is a little surprising to see them in such a perilous position, and Deeney may feel that he has more than enough quality at his disposal to help them move away from danger.

Deeney has helped his side avoid defeat in both of his two home games in charge by gaining valuable draws against top half opposition in the form of Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon. Rovers have only won twice in 13 league matches at The New Lawn this season, so that is a clear area of improvement if they are to avoid falling out of the Football League altogether.

Likewise, they have collected just one point from their last eight away trips, including losing to Newport County and Swindon Town under Deeney's management. He will be targeting Saturday's trip to struggling Salford as a real opportunity to rectify that record and drag another rival into real jeopardy.

Salford City League Two form:

D

D

L

L

L

L

Forest Green Rovers League Two form:

L

L

D

L

L

D

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

L

D

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Team News

Salford have made the decision to recall Marcus Dackers from National League side Altrincham. The 20-year-old scored once in four appearances during his brief loan spell, but he may have to settle for a spot on the bench on Saturday.

Connor McLennan was only used during the second half against Accrington on New Years Day, but the right winger is likely to replace Junior Luamba from the outset against Forest Green.

Having performed reasonably well to claim a 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon last time out, Deeney may seek to name an unchanged starting XI against Salford. Mathew Stevens will almost certainly be preferred to Matt Taylor in attack after opening the scoring inside four minutes on New Years Day.

Reece Welch will not be available for selection as he has been recalled by his parent club Everton. The 20-year-old made 17 league appearances for Forest Green during the first half of the season, so Deeney may be keen on replacing the central defender within his squad.

Salford City possible starting lineup:

Cairns; Ingram, Mariappa, Tilt, Garbutt; Bolton, Watt, Watson; McLennan, Smith, McAleny

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Daniels; Bernard, Inniss, Moore-Taylor, Robson; McCann, Bunker, Jones; McAllister, Stevens, Morton

We say: Salford City 2-1 Forest Green Rovers

Neither team would have expected to be facing relegation trouble at this stage of the season, but that is the reality both sides face for the time being at least. Despite being unlikely to have a permanent manager in place for this meeting, Salford will sense an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the bottom two.

Forest Green have improved since appointing Deeney as their manager, but they appear out of sorts on the road, and we can see more pain for them in the short-term before potentially escaping relegation by the end of the campaign.

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