MX23RW : Tuesday, November 8 09:35:35| >> :120:31416:31416:
[monks data]
Aug 24, 2022 at 7.45pm UK at The New Lawn
Forest Green
0 - 3
Brighton

Casey (64'), Stevenson (66'), O'Keeffe (77')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Undav (38'), Alzate (45+1'), Ferguson (90+4')
Paul van Hecke (61')

Preview: Forest Green Rovers vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's EFL Cup clash between Forest Green Rovers and Brighton & Hove Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Forest Green Rovers host Brighton & Hove Albion in the second round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

The hosts were promoted to the third-tier of English football for the first ever time last season, while Brighton are competing in the Premier League for a sixth successive season.


Match preview

Forest Green Rovers' Mathew Stevens celebrates scoring their first goal with teammate on March 21, 2022© Reuters

After their 2-1 win away to fellow newly-promoted side Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the season, Forest Green have since found life in League One much tougher to deal with.

Their 1-1 draw away to Lincoln City has been sandwiched by two home defeats at the hands of Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle, two sides expected to be competing at the very top end of the table this season.

However, head coach Ian Burchnall will be reminding his players that their current position of 20th is arguably a false one given that they have a game in hand on the rest of the division (except Accrington Stanley, whom they will face in two weeks), and would also be a perfectly acceptable finish come the end of the season.

With surviving relegation the club's priority this season, it remains to be seen how seriously they will take Wednesday's test against Brighton, but resting any key players against Premier League opposition is a hard sell for any manager.

Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring for Brighton & Hove Albion on August 21, 2022© Reuters

Brighton, meanwhile, have made a superb start to the season with seven points from their opening three league games showing they are ready to take the next step under Graham Potter.

The former Swansea City boss has taken the Seagulls from strength to strength since replacing Chris Hughton three years ago, transforming their playing style into a more progressive one while gradually improving results, too.

Scoring goals can at times remain a problem for them, particularly at home, as last weekend's 0-0 draw against Newcastle United demonstrated having dominated almost the entirety of the match with seven shots on target compared to their opponents' one.

However, on the road they appear to carry a heftier punch having scored twice at both Old Trafford and the London Stadium already this season, so Forest Green must be aware of leaving themselves open to Brighton's slick possession game.

Forest Green Rovers EFL Cup form:
  • W

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L

Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W


Team News

Kaoru Mitoma in action for Brighton & Hove Albion on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Burchnall picked a strong team in the previous round against Leyton Orient and will almost certainly do so again with his team looking to announce themselves on the big stage.

Armani Little is not a regular starter in the league but he should receive the nod here after bagging a brace against The O's.

Brighton, meanwhile, could make several changes as Potter looks to rest key players ahead of the weekend's Premier League match at home against Leeds United.

New signing Pervis Estupinan could make his full debut for the club having come off the bench against West Ham on Sunday, with the left-back potentially playing outside of left-footed central defender Levi Colwill, who is yet to start since his loan move from Chelsea.

Neal Maupay could lead the line despite significant interest in the forward from elsewhere, with Deniz Undav also hoping for a chance from the off.

Jakub Moder remains sidelined for several months after sustaining an ACL injury towards the end of last season.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Bernard, Casey, Cargill; O'Keefe, Davis, Henry, Little, McAllister; March, Brown

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; van Hecke, Clarke, Colwill; Lamptey, Mwepu, Alzate, Estupinan; Mitoma; Maupay, Undav


SM words green background

We say: Forest Green Rovers 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Despite being likely to change almost their entire XI, we expect Brighton to have too much quality for their opponents.

With both sides utilising 3-5-2 formations, it is unlikely to be a goal-fest, especially with the Seagulls potentially taking their foot off the gas if they can get the job done early.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:492780:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9681:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


How you voted: Forest Green vs Brighton

Forest Green Rovers
12.6%
Draw
13.8%
Brighton & Hove Albion
73.6%
87
Game History
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Brighton & Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 9, 2022
Read Next:
Brighton 2022-23 season preview - prediction, summer signings, star player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Championship
EFL Cup
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Taca de Portugal
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Challenge Cup
EFL Trophy
Greek Superleague
Ukrainian Premier League
NIFL Premiership
2.Bundesliga
Chinese Super League
NextGen ATP Finals Groups
1pm
Lehecka
Passaro
2.30pm
Musetti
Tseng
6.30pm
Arnaldi
Nakashima
8pm
Draper
Stricker
NFL
FT
Ravens
27-13
Saints
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Plymouth ArgylePlymouth17132236191741
2Ipswich TownIpswich17114235181737
3Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds17104333161734
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough17101632191331
5Portsmouth157622517827
6Bolton WanderersBolton168351914527
7Derby CountyDerby167452015525
8Barnsley167361914524
9Charlton AthleticCharlton175842723423
10Port Vale176562024-423
11Exeter CityExeter176472825322
12Wycombe WanderersWycombe176472323022
13Lincoln CityLincoln165741819-122
14Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury166461618-222
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood174941715221
16Bristol Rovers175572731-420
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd165471919019
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge1761101829-1119
19Cheltenham TownCheltenham165381320-718
20Accrington StanleyAccrington174581829-1117
21MK Dons1642101522-714
22Morecambe172781327-1413
23Forest Green RoversForest Green1734101535-2013
24Burton Albion1733112035-1512

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!