Cheltenham Town will be hoping to secure their first win of the 2023-24 League One season when they take on Fleetwood Town at Completely-Suzuki Stadium on Tuesday evening.
As the league table starts to take shape, these two sides have begun the season worse than the rest, with the hosts currently at the bottom of the standings with only one point while the visitors are just one spot above them with five points.
Match preview
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Cheltenham Town come into this match following a 2-0 loss to Lincoln City on the road last weekend, marking their sixth consecutive league loss and seventh in all competitions. However, that is arguably not their biggest issue.
The Robins have failed to score a single goal this season and are now just one match shy of the all-time record for the most consecutive games without scoring, which is currently held by Coventry City and Hartlepool United.
To make matters worse, Cheltenham have been very poor in defence as well, shipping a massive 17 goals in their first 10 matches of the season, which is the most of any team in the league.
The hosts' disastrous start to the current campaign led to the sacking of Wade Elliott a couple of weeks ago, with former Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke being brought in to steer the Robins away from the drop zone.
Clarke was appointed to the role last week Friday, and while his first match in charge ended in a loss, the new boss would have at least been able to get his first proper look at the areas that need addressing and will have a chance to implement his ideas here.
While the Robins have endured a wretched start to the season, it has not been easy-going for Fleetwood Town either, as they are just four points above their opponents after nine league games.
After drawing against Carlisle United on the opening day of the season and following up with five consecutive losses, Celtic legend Scott Brown received the axe at the end of August, with Lee Johnson being chosen as his successor.
Despite losing his first match in charge 3-0 at home to Oxford United, there has been a notable improvement since then, with the Fishermen avoiding defeat in their last two matches, including a 1-1 draw against Burton followed by their first win of the term, beating Leyton Orient 1-0 last weekend.
Still, the Cod Army will know that they cannot underestimate this opponent as the Robins have been the better side in this encounter in recent times, unbeaten in the last three meetings, winning twice and drawing once.
In addition, Johnson will need to find a way to bring an end to a run of seven matches without a win on the road, with his side last tasting victory on their travels back in April when they beat Accrington Stanley.
Team News
For the hosts, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji returned to the squad last week after completing his suspension, but James Alayinka will serve the final game of his three-match ban for the straight red he received against Peterborough United in this one.
Oliver Hammond could return to the starting 11 after starting on the bench against Lincoln City and should partner Elliot Bonds and Liam Sercombe in the middle of the park.
As for the visitors, they will have to make do without the services of Carl Johnston, who was shown two yellows last week against Leyton Orient and will serve his one-match suspension this week.
Jack Marriott got off the mark this season with the winning goal last week and should keep his place in attack, while Jayden Stockley will be hoping to return to the starting lineup after remaining as an unused substitute over the weekend.
Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Long, Bevan, Freestone, Ferry; Hammond, Bonds, Sercombe; Butler-Oyedeji, Keena, Street
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Lawal, Heneghan, Nsiala; Robertson, Broom, Vela, Quitirna, Earl; Marriott, Stockley
We say: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Fleetwood Town
While the hosts have been very poor this season, they were arguably a little unlucky not to score in their last match, having recorded more shots on target than their opponents. The Robbins may not go on to win this match, but we feel that they will break their duck in front of goal in this one.
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