Two sides who are currently in the League One relegation zone will go head-to-head on Thursday when Forest Green Rovers play host to Burton Albion.

The home side are sat in 22nd place, with two points separating them from safety, while Burton are just one point behind in 23rd position.

Match preview

Forest Green enjoyed a run of three consecutive home victories in all competitions, before they headed on their travels for away games against Derby County and MK Dons.

After being thrashed 4-0 by Derby, Ian Burchnall's side were once again left empty-handed when they faced MK Dons on Boxing Day after a Daniel Harvie strike condemned them to a 1-0 defeat.

They will now be looking forward to returning to The New Lawn, where they will have the chance to claim a fourth straight home victory.

Although they will take confidence from their recent home form, they will need to improve defensively if they are to avoid relegation after conceding 44 goals in 22 games.

As a result of their inability to keep their opponents at bay, Forest Green currently share the worst defensive record in the league with Burton.

While the visitors may have struggled defensively this season, they would have been encouraged from their resolute display during their comfortable Boxing Day victory over Lincoln City.

Sam Hughes and Jonny Smith scored a goal apiece to get Burton off to a flying start before Victor Adeboyejo add a third from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, and although no more goals were forthcoming, Burton held firm to keep their third clean sheet of the League One season.

After ending a seven-game winless league run, Burton will be able to leapfrog Forest Green in the table if they can secure another win on Thursday.

However, recent history suggests that may be a challenging task as the Brewers have not recorded consecutive league victories since November 2021.

They can at least draw inspiration from the fact that they managed to beat Forest Green 3-2 when the two sides met in October.

Team News

Forest Green have doubts over the availability of Connor Wickham and Sean Robertson, who have both missed the last two matches.

Mathew Stevens is expected to be on the bench after he made his long-awaited return from injury to feature as a late substitute against MK Dons.

Despite losing narrowly on Boxing Day, Burchnall could name an unchanged lineup, with Jamille Matt set to retain his place up front.

As for the visitors, Hughes twisted his ankle during the win over Lincoln, while John Brayford is carrying a calf problem, but Burton boss Dino Maamria is hopeful that the pair will be available on Thursday.

If Hughes and Brayford are both passed fit then Maamria is likely to select the same side that started the Boxing Day victory.

Adeboyejo will feature in the forward line, and he will be looking to add to the 11 league goals that he has scored this season.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Bernard, Casey, Cargill; O'Keeffe, Stevenson, McGeouch, Boyes; Peart-Harris; Matt, March

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Garratt; Brayford, Hughes, Ndaba; Hamer, Taylor, Oshilaja, Borthwick-Jackson; Smith, Kamwa, Adeboyejo

We say: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Burton Albion

Although Forest Green have won their last three home games, Burton would have taken confidence from their 3-0 win over Lincoln, and after beating their opponents earlier in the season, we think that the Brewers will claim a narrow victory on Thursday.

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