The hosts were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale in a Football League One match on Sunday, while Birmingham lost to Middlesbrough, with an identical scoreline, a day later, in an EFL Championship fixture.
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Forest Green Rovers will host Birmingham City in a n FA cup third round fixture at The New Lawn on Saturday. Both sides are heading into the match on the back of similar defeats in their respective league-games. The hosts were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale in a Football League One match on Sunday, while Birmingham lost to Middlesbrough, with an identical scoreline, a day later, in an EFL Championship fixture. Forest Green are languishing at the bottom of the English third tier standings, having collected just 20 points from 25 games. The visitors, meanwhile, are occupying 17th position in the Championship table, with 32 points to their name from 26 matches.
Our @EmiratesFACup story so far📕
Tomorrow: @BCFC (H)🏠#WeAreFGR💚 pic.twitter.com/TpP4bSi2cj
— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) January 6, 2023
Forest Green are in deep trouble, having lost each of their last four league games. Their latest outing against Port Vale ended in a 3-1 loss, despite taking the lead through Kyle McAllister, inside the opening two minutes. Birmingham, on the other hand, suffered a similar defeat to Middlesbrough in their Championship game on Monday. Matt Brooks’ second half brace gave a 2-0 lead to Boro, before Tahith Chong pulled one back for the Blues, 16 minutes from time. However, Chuba Akpom’s 85th-minute strike handed a third consecutive league-defeat to John Eustace’s side.
Forest Green striker Conor Wickham has left the club after his contract expired, therefore, the likes of Josh March and Jamile Matt will need to take over the goal-scoring responsibilities. Defender Jordan Moore-Taylor is sidelined with injury. As for Birmingham, Marc Roberts has joined Dion Sanderson in the treatment room. Troy Deeney could partner Hogan up front, with Graham and Longelo occupying the flanks.
Forest Green Rovers possible line-up: McGee, Godwin-Malife, Casey, Cargill, O’Keeffe, McGeouch, Hendry, McAllister, Peart-Harris, Stevenson, Matt
Birmingham City possible line-up: Etheridge, Colin, Friend, Trusty, Graham, James, Bellingham, Bacuna, Longelo, Deeney, Hogan
Forest Green Rovers
| Opponents | Score |
| Port Vale | 1-3 (L) |
| Burton | 1-2 (L) |
| MK Dons | 1-0 (L) |
| Derby | 4-0 (L) |
| Cheltenham | 1-0 (W) |
Birmingham City
| Opponents | Score |
| Middlesbrough | 1-3 (L) |
| Hull City | 0-1 (L) |
| Burnley | 3-0 (L) |
| Reading | 3-2 (W) |
| Blackpool | 0-0 (D) |
| Last 2 match-results | Score |
| Birmingham beat Forest Green | 0-3 |
| Birmingham beat Forest Green | 0-1 |
The FA Cup match between Forest Green Rovers and Birmingham City will take place at the New Lawn on Saturday at 6:00 pm IST.
| Forest Green Rovers vs Birmingham City | Key Details |
| Date | January 7 |
| Venue | The New Lawn |
| Kickoff time in the UK | 12:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 6:00 pm |
The live telecast of the FA Cup match between Forest Green Rovers and Birmingham City can be seen on ESPN Play Caribbean, Super Spot and Star + network among others.
