Both Forest Green Rovers and Northampton Town will kickstart their EFL Trophy campaigns on Tuesday as they look to progress out of the group stage for a second season in a row.

The Cobblers will travel to the New Lawn Stadium as they aim to secure their first victory in three games against their fellow League Two team.

Match preview

This will be the first game of the competition for each club, with their group also featuring Brighton & Hove Albion's Under-21s squad and fellow League Two team Walsall, and each will aim to start with a win.

Forest Green have made an impressive start to the new campaign as they currently sit at the top of the table with four victories in their first five league games.

The Green Devils have continued from the momentum they built up last season where they finished in sixth place, narrowly being defeated in the playoff semi-finals against Newport County.

Rob Edwards has guided his team to some fantastic performances so far, creating an attacking, free-flowing style that has seen his squad find the back of the net 13 times already in the league, including a dominant 6-3 win against Crawley Town.

However, despite the high number of goals the team have been scoring, Forest Green actually head into this cup tie on the back of two consecutive defeats.

A loss in the EFL Cup against Premier League outfit Brentford was followed by a 2-0 defeat against Port Vale, with the cup game now providing a chance for the Green Devils to respond.

Both teams managed to progress out of the group stage last season, but Forest Green crashed out in the second round on penalties, while Northampton went one step further by reaching the third round before being knocked out.

The Cobblers will be hoping to get back to winning ways with this EFL Trophy game after two losses and a draw in their most recent fixtures.

After suffering relegation last season from League One Northampton are aiming for a quick response and so far, they are managing well in that regard as they sit in eighth place in the table.

Jon Brady's team have been difficult to score past this season, having kept three clean sheets already and the fact that they are currently undefeated away from home in the league will certainly provide confidence for Tuesday's game.

Team News

Forest Green Rovers will continue to be without Udoka Godwin-Malife for this game as he continues his lengthy recovery from a broken collarbone.

However, the Green Devils were boosted by the return of Josh March on Saturday as he came on from the bench, meanwhile Jordan Moore-Taylor also returned to the squad, although he was an unused substitute.

Northampton were dealt a heavy blow in the goalless draw against Crawley Town on Saturday as club captain Joseph Mills had to be stretchered off with a leg brace applied, which means Ali Koiki will slot in at left-back.

Jordan Flores was able to last a full game though which was a positive sign following his Achilles tendon injury, while Shaun McWilliams was named in the squad as he continues to make his return to full fitness as well.

The Cobblers could be boosted by the return of Jack Sowerby on Tuesday after missing several games with a knee injury, as he recently returned to full training.

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Bernard, Moore-Taylor, Cargill; Wilson, March, Hendry, Aitchison, Allen; Matt, Stevens

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Roberts; McWilliams, Horsfall, Guthrie, Koiki; Hoskins, Lewis, Flores, Pinnock; Rose, Etete

We say: Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Northampton Town

Tuesday brings high-scoring Forest Green against the defensively solid Northampton which should provide a stern test for both sides looking to get three points in the Football League Trophy.

But with the hosts having started the season in electric form and the Cobblers missing their captain for this game, they should be able to earn the win.

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