AP Sports Preview

NPL- FOREST GREEN-MORECAMBE PREVIEW

FOREST GREEN, England (Interstat) — Forest Green Rovers host Morecambe on Saturday, April 25, in a National League clash with both sides seeking to reverse recent losing streaks.

Forest Green (3-2-1 in their last six) dropped to 2-1 at Hartlepool United on April 18, a result that snapped a brief two-match unbeaten run. Previous to that, the Rovers earned a 3-1 home win over Braintree Town on April 11 and a 1-1 draw at Truro City on April 6. The Rovers have been inconsistent at home, losing three of their last five at The New Lawn, but own a recent 4-0 shutout of Brackley Town on April 3.

Morecambe enters on a heavy note, falling 3-0 at Boreham Wood on April 18. That loss extended a worrying trend for the Shrimps, who have dropped five of their last seven matches. Morecambe was blown out 5-1 at Woking on April 11 but played to a 2-2 draw at Carlisle United on April 6. The Shrimps’ recent form has been erratic: a 4-2 win at Rochdale on April 3 was followed by a 2-0 loss at Aldershot on March 28.

History favors Forest Green in this fixture. The Rovers won the most recent meeting 3-1 at Morecambe on Sept. 2, a result that extended their head-to-head edge. Saturday’s match is the second between the two sides this National League season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw.

Key for Forest Green will be tightening a defense that conceded twice at Hartlepool. Morecambe’s attack has struggled for consistency, scoring multiple goals in only two of its last six. The Shrimps’ 5-0 rout of Sutton United on March 7 showed their ceiling, but road form remains a concern.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local time.