We look ahead to the League 2 game between Forest Green Rovers and Cambridge United.
Forest Green Rovers take on Cambridge United on Saturday in Sky Bet League Two with the Green Army looking to get out of the relegation zone.
The form book doesn’t favour Mark Cooper’s side though – who are currently second-bottom in the table – as they have lost four of their last five league games.
However, they will be seeking home comforts after winning their last game at the New Lawn in a 1-0 victory against fellow strugglers, Port Vale.
With the second most goals conceded in the league this season (58), Cooper has moved quickly in January to resolve this issue; with the likes of Gavin Gunning, Farrend Rawson, Haydn Hollis and Alex Whittle being brought in to bolster the Rovers backline.
All of these defensive additions appeared in some capacity during Forest Green’s most recent 1-0 loss to Swindon Town, and they will be hoping for more of the same as Rovers look to shut out a Mansfield side who are in the mix for the play-off places.
It’s not just defensive problems that have hindered Rovers’ progress this season with only 26 goals scored over the course of this campaign – the lowest in League Two – their attacking threat is something else which needs addressing.
Fans will be hoping that the acquisition of Reuben Reid will be the answer to their prayers and with over 90 career goals, he could go on to form a good partnership with current top-scorer Christian Doidge, who has 17 goals to his name this season.
Our Cambridge United expert, Tom Collins, had this to say:
Cambridge’s Perspective
Shaun Derry’s men will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six games, with Rovers only winning two out of their last ten games.
The sides last met in a 3-0 Cambridge win back in September, with goals coming from Jabo Ibehre and Uche Ikpeazu who netted twice.
Team News
Leon Legge will still be absent again for tomorrow’s trip after the centre-back injured a shoulder in training last week and was ruled out of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Mansfield Town. Another player set to miss the trip to Forest Green Rovers is David Amoo, who only lasted 10 minutes as a second-half substitute against Mansfield, after injuring his hamstring.
Piero Mingoia is still missing with a groin injury, while Jabo Ibehre serves the final match of his three-game ban after his red card against Crewe at the end of December.
What time is kick off?
The match gets underway at 3:00pm tomorrow and it can be followed live on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Sport on their website. Keep up to date with all the build-up on www.parklifesport.com and on Twitter @parklife_Sport.
Are Tickets still available?
Yes. Tickets for the game are priced as follows:
Adult £16.00
64 + £12.00
16-21 £8.00
Under 16 £5.00
Under 11 £0.00
However, online booking for this event will end on Friday at 14:30.
Pre match Statistics
- Forest Green have conceded at least one goal in 86% of their home matches.
- Forest Green have failed to score in 43% of their home matches.
- Forest Green have conceded the opening goal in 74% of their matches.
- Forest Green have lost 57% of their home matches.
- 71% of Cambridge’s points have been earned at home.
- Cambridge have scored 72% of their goals at home.
- Cambridge have failed to win in their last 9 away matches.
- 32% of Cambridge’s conceded goals occurred after the 75th minute.
- It’s a dead heat in the head to head between these two sides as they both hold a record of five wins, 10 draws and five defeats.
