Preview: Harrogate Town vs. Forest Green Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams bidding for promotion in League Two will compete on Tuesday night as Harrogate Town welcomes current table-toppers Forest Green Rovers to the EnviroVent Stadium.

The hosts head into the game on the back of a victory, while the visitors are well-rested having not played since their midweek clash with Chelsea's Under-23s.

Match preview

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Harrogate Town have plenty of momentum behind them as they head into this fixture due to the fact they were able to progress in the FA Cup this weekend.

Simon Weaver's men placed their name in the hat for the third round by defeating Portsmouth, with a 95th-minute goal from Jack Diamond securing the 2-1 win.

That result extended their current unbeaten run to three games following a victory against Carlisle United and a draw with Swindon Town recently in the league.

Their performances have been consistent throughout the campaign so far, only losing five of their opening 19 fixtures, which has allowed them to sit inside of the playoffs.

Offensively the Sulphurites have been impressive this season, scoring 33 goals in League Two, which is a record only topped by one team, which just so happens to be their opponents in midweek.

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While Forest Green have found the back of the net more, they have also been stronger defensively, as no team have conceded fewer than them.

The combination of goals and clean sheets is something that has resulted in the team taking the top spot in League Two with a six-point gap between their nearest challenger and a game in hand on many of the chasing pack.

Rob Edwards will be pleased with their performances throughout the campaign, as his squad have only been beaten twice in the division this season.

In midweek Forest Green did suffer a loss in the EFL Trophy, but even that had to be decided by penalties after the match with Chelsea's Under-21s ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, their previous two league outings resulted in six points, with four goals scored and zero conceded, which should breathe a lot of confidence into the squad for Tuesday's fixture.

Team News

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Harrogate Town have been dealt a lot of injury blows lately which have impacted the squad with Ryan Fallowfield and Rory McArdle missing due to groin problems.

Meawhile Aaron Martin has been out of action with a knee issue and William Smith was recently added to that list because of his hernia, all of which will be unavailable again on Tuesday.

After not playing at the weekend due to already being knocked out of the FA Cup Forest Green Rovers should have the advantage of being slightly fresher and fitter in midweek.

However, they will be missing Udoka Godwin-Malife as he was sent off during their most recent league outing, which will force at least one change to the starting lineup.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Oxley; Sheron, Burrell, Hall, Page; Kerry, Falkingham, Pattison; Diamond, Thomson, Armstrong

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; Bernard, Moore-Taylor, Cargill; Cadden, Adams, Stevenson, Sweeney, Aitchison; Matt, Stevens

We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Forest Green Rovers

Two of the highest scoring teams in the division competing against each other should result in an exciting midweek encounter between two sides hoping for promotion.

Each are in good confidence, but Forest Green Rovers should have the attacking qualities to just edge this particular fixture in order to keep their dominance at the top of the league.