Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Alvechurch - prediction, team news, lineups

Cheltenham Town begin their FA Cup campaign with a first-round tie against non-league outfit Alvechurch on Saturday afternoon.

At a time when Cheltenham sit in 19th position in League One, Alvechurch are in the same place in the Southern League Premier Central.

Match preview

In his first season in a senior managerial role, Wade Elliott will view consolidation for Cheltenham as a successful campaign, but his side have someway to go to achieve that target.

Sitting just four points clear of the relegation zone, the Robins are scrapping to avoid becoming embroiled in a battle to avoid the drop, although Elliott will be encouraged by his team's recent form.

Four points have been collected from games against Morecambe and MK Dons, a 1-0 triumph in the former being following by a goalless draw.

Having conceded eight times in the previous three games, it represents a strong response, but Elliott will demand that his players finally showcase their attacking ability against their non-league opponents.

Cheltenham have scored just 13 goals from 16 matches in the third tier this campaign, the joint-worst return in the division.

While Alvechurch made the third round back in 1974, that takes nothing away from their achievement of coming through four ties to reach this stage of the competition in 2022-23.

The Church, who compete at the seventh tier, have defeated Mickleover Sports, Harborough Town, Nuneaton Borough and Worksop Town to progress through to the first round.

Although their last three ties have taken place at their home ground, Ian Long's side have netted at least three goals in each of their games in this competition this season.

Despite sitting just above the relegation zone in the Southern League Premier Central, Alvechurch have several matches in hand due to their cup exploits.