Preview:Forest Green Rovers vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Forest Green Rovers and AFC Wimbledon get their respective 2024 involvements underway with a meeting at the New Lawn on Monday afternoon.

The home side were beaten for a second consecutive match last time out, while their visitors drew the curtain on 2023 with an emphatic victory.

Match preview

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Forest Green were on the receiving end of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Swindon Town when the teams went head-to-head at the County Ground on Friday.

Troy Deeney's men fell behind to Daniel Kemp's opener 10 minutes into the second period but managed to restore parity through Matt Taylor before Kemp grabbed his second 10 minutes from time to decide the clash.

Consequently, the Rovers remain bottom of the League Two table and are still seven points adrift of safety, albeit with two games in hand.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without a win in the last four editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Winless in five straight home matches leading up to Monday's affair, the hosts will be keen to give their fans reason to cheer this time around.

Wimbledon came out on top from a thrilling contest against Colchester United at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, which ended 5-3 on Friday.

Two goals apiece from Josh Davidson and Joe Lewis inspired Johnnie Jackson's men to victory, with Ali Al-Hamadi also getting in on the act.

With 38 points from 24 matches so far, the Wombles sit seventh in the standings, ahead of the chasing pack only on goal difference in the race for the final promotion playoff place.

Having netted seven times in their last two matches on home turf, Monday's visitors now set out to put on another attacking masterclass on enemy territory.

Team News

Midfielder Callum Jones is eligible to play a part for Forest Green here, having served his one-game suspension in the defeat to Swindon Town.

This could see Teddy Jenks return to the bench off the back of a first starting appearance in three matches for the home side last time out.

Troy Deeney was on target in the reverse meeting between Monday's opponents back in August, but the 35-year-old is unlikely to be involved here.

Joe Lewis marked his return to the Wimbledon XI with a double, and the Welshman is expected to get the nod to feature right from the off once again.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

Daniels; Robson, Moore-Taylor, Inniss, Dabo; McCann, Bunker, Jones; Morton, Stevens, McAllister

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Bass; Biler, Lewis, Johnson, Currie; Reeves, Little, Lemonheigh-Evans; Al-Hamadi, Bugiel, Davison

We say: Forest Green Rovers 1-2 AFC Wimbledon

Forest Green have improved their attacking output of late, but huge question marks remain over their defensive stability. We are backing Wimbledon to get the job done, albeit by only a narrow margin.

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