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

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Match preview

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.

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.

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Team News

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

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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.

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