Latics return to Sky Bet League Two action as they once again travel to the New Lawn to replay the abandoned fixture in full (7pm KO).
It has been over two weeks since Harry Kewell’s men came from behind to secure a big win over Salford City at Boundary Park, with the game this evening being the first fixture of the month.
Latics have already travelled to the New Lawn this season but the game was abandoned during the second-half as a result of heavy fog. The score was 1-1 at the time with Zak Dearnley scoring the goal for Oldham.
Form Guide
Forest Green Rovers are on a mixed run of form at the moment and have two wins in their last seven games.
They are still in a very strong position in the league, sitting second just four points off the top and with a game in hand over current table-toppers Cambridge United.
Rovers’ last six:
- Carlisle United 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
- Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Cheltenham Town
- Leyton Orient 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
- Tranmere Rovers 3-2 Forest Green Rovers
- Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Port Vale
- Forest Green Rovers 1-2 Crawley Town
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 4
Latics wins: 0
Forest Green wins: 1
Draws: 3
For - 2
Against - 3
Latics are yet to beat Forest Green Rovers in a competitive fixture and they will be hoping to change that at the fifth time of asking.
The two clubs have already met this season, the first game of the New Year, but the game will not go down in the record books because of the second-half abandonment.
Nicky Cadden gave the hosts the lead before Zak Dearnley levelled scoring just before half-time in difficult conditions with the snow, freezing temperatures and then fog.
The referee delayed the start of the second-half, but the fog persisted and it was eventually abandoned on the hour mark.
Team News
In terms of selection Head Coach Harry Kewell has a nearly full fit squad for the busy fixture schedule over the next month or so.
Strikers Zak Dearnley and George Blackwood are close to a return whilst Marcus Barnes is fighting fit.
A decision needs to be made again on which two loanees will miss out with five only allowed in the matchday squad.
Watch Out For
Nicky Cadden was the man that scored against Latics in the abandoned game.
The wide midfielder has an impressive four goals and six assists to his name this campaign and he provided the winning goal in Rovers’ recent win at Leyton Orient.
The Scotsman began his senior career with Airdrieonians but had been on the books at Motherwell previously.
He moved to Livingston in the summer of 2016 where he would go on to score eight goals in 80 appearances. He was sent out on loan to Ayr United for the final few months of this time with Livingston.
The 24-year-old then signed for Greenock Morton where he impressed, scoring 10 goals and getting 13 assists in just 30 games in the Scottish Championship.
He made the move south of the border in July 2020, joining Forest Green.
In The Dugout
Mark Cooper is the man in the dugout for the hosts.
Cooper has been in charge at the New Lawn since May 2016 and it is his ninth posting as manager in senior football.
The 52-year-old has also been in charge at Tamworth, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Darlington, AFC Telford, Swindon Town and Notts County.
He has also represented Rovers as a player as well as manager, making 48 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2002.
Ground
The New Lawn
Capacity: 5,032 (2,000 seated)
Opened: 2006
Record attendance: 4,836 (vs Derby County, 2009)
The New Lawn employs a number of eco-friendly features designed to help make the stadium one of the most environmentally sustainable football stadia in the world.
Match Officials
Robert Lewis will again take charge of this fixture after calling the opening 2021 game to an early conclusion due to the weather conditions.
He has officiated 20 games so far this campaign, handing out 52 bookings and three red cards. The Shrewsbury-based man in the middle is usually an official in League One.
He will be assisted by Mark Derrien and Michael Webb with Brett Huxtable as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Forest Green are 10/11 favourites to win the game whilst Latics are 13/5 to record their first ever competitive win against Rovers.
13/5 is also the price available for the draw.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.