Preview: Cambridge United vs. Forest Green Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

More than likely needing a victory to assure their League One status, Cambridge United take on cellar-dwelling Forest Green Rovers at the Abbey Stadium on Sunday in the final fixture of the campaign.

The hosts are likely to be relegated unless they are triumphant and MK Dons and Morecambe both fail to win, whereas the visitors have known for a while that they will be finishing bottom of the pile.

Match preview

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The U's looked destined for relegation when they tasted just one victory in 15 league outings between December and March, suffering 11 defeats in the process.

However, entering the final day of the campaign, they have given themselves a fighting chance of retaining their status as a League One club thanks to a series of positive results of late, with four wins coming in their last eight matches.

Cambridge's defeat to Burton on Wednesday means they enter this weekend in the relegation zone in 22nd on 43 points, one behind MK Dons in 20th, who remain just outside the drop zone due to goal difference.

The U's ideally need another victory on Sunday to beat the drop in the hopes that MK Dons and Morecambe both lose against Burton Albion and Exeter City, respectively. A draw against FGR may be enough for Cambridge to survive, but Mark Bonner's side would need a big swing in goal difference as well as defeats for the Dons and the Shrimps.

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Forest Green have been by far and away the worst team in the third tier in the 2022-23 campaign, and they have known for a long time they will be finishing rock-bottom, having acquired just 27 points from 45 games.

Duncan Ferguson's side have won just once in their last 25 games in all competitions, with that victory coming against an unlikely opponent in promotion-chasing Sheffield Wednesday back on March 26.

The fact that FGR have won only once on their travels – a 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the season – should give Cambridge encouragement, as the Green have amassed 10 points in 22 matches.

A 3-0 defeat to Oxford United last weekend ensures that Rovers will finish the campaign with the worst defensive record in the league, conceding a whopping 87 goals heading into the final matchday.

Team News

Cambridge United will be without Adam May for the remainder of the campaign after the midfielder sustained an ACL injury earlier this season.

Sam Smith looks set to lead the line once again for the U's, while Conor McGrandles and Paul Digby are expected to make up the engine room.

As for the visitors, Ben Stevenson has been a long-term absentee with a knee injury, and the midfielder may not be able to return before the end of the season, meaning Harvey Bunker and Dylan McGeouch should keep their places in the midfield.

Manchester United loanee Charlie Savage returned to the starting XI against Oxford after his first-half withdrawal away at Cheltenham Town the week prior, so he looks set to keep his place in Rovers' attack here.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Morrison, Dunk; McGrandles, Digby; Brophy, Lankester, Knibbs; Smith

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Godwin-Malife, Cooper, Casey, Robson; O'Keeffe, Bunker, McGeouch, Garrick; Savage, Peart-Harris

We say: Cambridge United 2-0 Forest Green Rovers

We think the U's will be licking their lips at this fixture as they are taking on a Forest Green Rovers side that are in woeful form.

Bonner's side need a victory to try and beat the drop, so we are expecting a fast start from Cambridge to set the tone.

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