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

Fleetwood Town and Cheltenham Town square off on Saturday afternoon searching for the win that will keep them on the periphery of a playoff bid.

These two teams sit in 15th and 12th position in the League Two standings, the visitors nine points adrift of the top seven.

Match preview

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When Charlie Adam was removed from his position as Fleetwood head coach, it felt a questionable decision, yet the club's hierarchy have since felt vindicated.

Replacement Pete Wild has recorded 10 points from his opening seven games in charge, despite the disappointment of losing 4-2 at Morecambe last time out.

The 2-0 victory over leaders Walsall highlighted that Fleetwood have the potential to make inroads up the table, providing that they can find some consistency.

Three wins and three defeats in their last six games suggests that may be easier said than done, as well as the fact that they have evenly shared out wins, draws and defeats across their 27 games in 2024-25.

On a positive note, the Cod Army remain with just three defeats in 15 league games at Highbury Stadium, as well as conceding just 14 times.

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Meanwhile, Michael Flynn can be satisfied with the job that he is doing at Cheltenham, winning 16 of his 36 games in charge this campaign.

Nevertheless, it has taken recording seven points from their last three games to remain nine points of the top seven.

Victories over fellow playoff candidates Salford City and Chesterfield have been registered at home, with a goalless draw earned at Accrington Stanley in between.

That said, Cheltenham's away form has been dire this season. Just two wins and 11 points have come from 13 such fixtures, their last victory coming at Carlisle United on October 26.

Team News

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Brandon Cover could be brought into the Fleetwood XI for his first start since joining on loan from Leicester City.

Louie Marsh has also arrived from Sheffield United and could get the nod over Ryan Graydon in attack if Wild chooses for a different approach.

Valintino Adedokun is in line to be drafted into the Cheltenham side after Scot Bennett was an early withdrawal against Chesterfield.

Tom Bradbury should move inside to accommodate the new arrival, while Timothee Dieng is also an option after his loan switch from Gillingham.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup: Lynch; Rooney, Bolton, Potter, Hunt; Cover, Virtue, Bonds, Helm, Mayor; Marsh

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup: Day; Jude-Boyd, Stubbs, Bradbury, Adedokun; Kinsella, Young; Thomas, Backwell, Archer; Hay

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Cheltenham Town

With both teams having improved of late, we feel this should prove to be a competitive encounter. However, it is a difficult to lean either way, leaving us to predict a low-scoring draw.

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