Luton vs Forest Green kick-off, date & TV info
Date Friday, October 31
Kick-off 7.30pm
Venue Kenilworth Road, Luton
Competition FA Cup
TV TNT Sports 1 & discovery+
The first taste of this season’s FA Cup sees Jack Wilshere’s Luton entertain Robbie Savage’s Forest Green and the managers’ lofty reputations as players should ensure that there are plenty tuning in to the first-round tie at Kenilworth Road.
Wilshere, a two-time winner of the competition as a player, should be a firm believer in the magic of the FA Cup and will desperate for his League One side to avoid an embarrassing exit at the hands of their National League opponents.
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Luton vs Forest Green betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Luton to win & both teams to score
1pt 9-4 bet365
Anytime goalscorer
Jordan Clark anytime goalscorer
16-5 Paddy Power
Longshot
Over 14 corners
6-1 bet365
Luton vs Forest Green preview
Having twice won the FA Cup as a player at Arsenal, Jack Wilshere is set to take charge of his first match in the competition as a manager with his Luton side hoping to avoid a giant-killing in the first round at home to Forest Green.
Wilshere lost his first game in the Hatters hotseat, suffering a 2-0 League One defeat to Mansfield, but has followed up with a hard-fought 1-0 league victory over Northampton and a 3-1 EFL Trophy success against Brighton Under-21s to settle the nerves.
With Luton only tenth in League One and it still being early days in the 33-year-old’s tenure, changes may be kept to a minimum as he bids to bolster his profile in front of the TV cameras.
Throw in the fact that opponents Forest Green, managed by the flamboyant Robbie Savage, are fifth in the National League and only two points behind leaders Rochdale and it has the makings of a potential upset.
The non-league side have nothing to lose and, while getting back to the Football League will be their top priority, they should have a go and that could contribute to an entertaining cup clash.
Rovers, have lost only to National League leaders Rochdale and third-placed Carlisle this term, and both teams have scored in nine of their last 13 matches. Many of their players have spent the bulk of their careers in the EFL, so being overawed by the occasion should be no excuse.
Savage may feel that Luton, having kept only two clean sheets in ten games, are there to be shot at but his side will rarely have to face forwards the quality of Luton’s seasoned striker Nahki Wells, West Ham loanee Gideon Kodua and Jordan Clark, who has thrived since Wilshere’s arrival.
Clark looks the key for Wilshere
Clark is one player that Wilshere has relied on in his early days at Luton and the experienced midfielder could reward his manager’s faith with a goal in this FA Cup first-round encounter.
The 32-year-old has three goals in 12 League One appearances this term and, while he has failed to bolster his tally under Wilshere, six shots in recent games with Mansfield and Northampton suggest he is knocking firmly at the door.
Corner count could climb
This promises to be an entertaining start to proceedings in this season’s FA Cup and, given the potential for goals, there could be plenty of corners taken.
Luton had five corners in Wilshere’s opening game against Mansfield before posting ten in their victory at Northampton and they had nine more in the midweek EFL Trophy win over Brighton’s youngsters.
There were 16 corners in the 1-0 success for Luton over the Cobblers at Sixfields while Forest Green’s 2-1 win over Boreham Wood last weekend saw 14 corners taken.
Luton vs Forest Green Bet Builder
Luton to win
Two divisions separate these sides and Luton manager Jack Wilshere, having won his last two games in charge, will want the feelgood factor to continue ahead of next Saturday’s tough trip to Stockport.
Jordan Clark anytime goalscorer
The forward-thinking midfielder has had six shots in two league games since the new manager’s arrival and can add to his tally of three goals in 12 appearances this term.
Over 8.5 corners
There were 16 corners in Luton’s last game in League One against Northampton, with the Hatters forcing a total of 23 in Wilshere’s three fixtures at the helm.
Pays out at 9-2 with bet365
Key stats for Luton vs Forest Green
♦ Luton are unbeaten in six meetings with Forest Green, winning the last three
♦ Both teams have scored in six of Forest Green’s last nine matches
♦ Luton have conceded at least twice in four of their last six games
♦ Forest Green have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven outings
♦ Rovers have lost two of their 17 matches this season
Luton vs Forest Green betting odds
Sign up with Paddy Power to bet on Luton vs Forest Green in the FA Cup. Here are the latest odds for Friday’s match.
MarketOddsLuton4-9Forest Green5-1Draw16-5
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Luton vs Forest Green team news and predicted line-ups
Luton
The hosts will be without striker Shayden Morris while Ali Al Hamadi, Elijah Adebayo, Jacob Brown and Reuell Walters are long-term absentees. However, Liam Walsh and Isaiah Jones are back in contention.
Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): Keeley; Lonwijk, Mengi, Naismith, Bramall; Saville; Richards, Fanne, Clark, Kodua; Wells.
Subs: Walsh, Jones, Odoffin, Yates, Andersen, Nelson, Nordas, Alli
Forest Green
Kyle McAllister has undergone surgery and is unlikely to feature while Temi Babalola played against Rovers for Worthing in the previous round, so is ineligible.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): McNicholas; Pemberton, Inniss, Moore-Taylor, Buyabu; Bunker, Moore; Knowles, Whitwell, Clarke; Doidge.
Subs: Bamba, Haughton, Kanu, Kengni, Balagizi, Long, Dausch, Marquez.
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FAQs for Luton vs Forest Green
When is Luton vs Forest Green in the FA Cup?
Luton’s FA Cup fixture with Forest Green will kick off at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 30.
Where is Luton vs Forest Green being played?
The match will be played at Kenilworth Road, Luton.
Where can I watch Luton vs Forest Green?
The FA Cup first-round tie will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
What is the match betting for Luton vs Forest Green?
Luton, two divisions above Forest Green, are favourites at 4-9. The visitors are 5-1 to pull off a cup upset, with the draw available at 16-5.
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