Leaders Forest Green Rovers will square off against Colchester United on Monday evening looking to strengthen their position at the top of the League Two standings.

However, the visitors have failed to win any of their last seven matches, handing belief to a Colchester side that have recently moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Having performed well above expectations during the opening six months of the campaign, it was only natural that Forest Green were to experience a lull at some stage.

However, failure to record a win since February 8 has understandably led to concerns that all of their previous work will be undone, their advantage in the automatic promotion places now down to seven points before the weekend's fixtures.

With a game in hand and a superior goal difference, Rob Edwards and his team should not be too downbeat at this stage, particularly with two of their recent draws being recorded from a losing position.

As it stands, Edwards will be satisfied to have the upcoming 12-day break from action, but Monday's fixture provides his players with an opportunity to regain some momentum.

While eight matches have passed without keeping a clean sheet, Forest Green have scored in their last 17 away fixtures in all competitions.

When Wayne Brown was placed in interim charge of Colchester in January, he probably would not have expected to last 13 games in the role, but the 44-year-old is doing an effective job in the dugout.

Since his arrival, 17 points have been collected from 13 games - the 10th-best return over that period - and it has proven enough to keep the club away from the bottom two.

Now holding an eight-point lead, Colchester probably require three wins from their remaining nine matches to secure their status in the fourth tier for another 12 months, although Brown's ambitions will be higher than that.

Colchester's only defeat in five games, which came last time out, occurred away at in-form Bristol Rovers, with victories being posted against Port Vale and Scunthorpe United before that fixture.

However, leading marksman Freddie Sears has now gone nine matches without finding the back of the net.

Team News

Barring any new fitness issues, Colchester could line up with the team which pushed Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.

While John Akinde is an option in the final third, Sears will likely keep his place given the standard of opposition.

Forest Green will be able to call upon Udoka Godwin-Malife, who has served his suspension for two yellow cards against Bradford City.

Edwards must decide whether to hand him an immediate recall or stick with Dan Sweeney, who delivered a solid performance when deputising on Tuesday.

Jack Aitchison may also come back into the team in midfield, potentially getting the nod over Regan Taylor or Ben Stevenson.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
George; Coxe, Chambers, Eastman, Kenlock; Skuse, Sarpong-Wiredu; Hannant, Chilvers; Edwards; Sears

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Sweeney, Moore-Taylor, Cargill; Wilson, Stevenson, Hendry, Cadden; Adams; Matt, Stevens

We say: Colchester United 1-2 Forest Green Rovers

Given their recent improvements, Colchester deserve respect ahead of this contest as they bid to surprise the leaders. However, it is only a matter of time before Rovers get back on track, and we feel that Edwards's side will do just enough to collect all three points on Monday.

Written by
Darren Plant

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