GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY IN YOUR INBOX SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Forest Green Rovers travel to Premier League team AFC Bournemouth for the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Rovers won on penalties to progress to the second round after a 0-0 draw in normal time as they shocked Championship outfit Charlton Athletic in mid-August.

For Rovers, the new round brings a completely fresh challenge, with Premier League opposition.

When is it?

Wednesday, August 28, kick-off at 7.45pm at The Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth.

Follow the game in our live blog here

Team News

Forest Green could rest some players down on the South Coast after playing over 100 minutes of football on Saturday.

Joseph Mills scored in stoppage-time with 12 minutes added on in the side’s 1-0 win over Bradford City on Saturday.

Matt Mills was sent off after his brother’s goal at the weekend, so the defender will serve his one-match suspension following his two yellow cards.

Mark Cooper shuffled the team around at Bradford, opting with four at the back. He chose to play his trusted 3-4-3 at The Valley in the first round of the cup, but he could choose a more orthodox back-four formation for the midweek tie against the Cherries.

(Image: Anna Lythgoe)

Matty Stevens could start up front for Rovers, with the striker not starting a match since the home win over Grimsby Town a couple of weeks ago.

Stevens played from the start in the penalty shootout victory over Charlton in the previous round.

Dayle Grubb could start a second successive game for the first time this season after being one of Rovers’ standout performers in West Yorkshire at the weekend.

Liam Kitching was another player to impress in Saturday’s win and he could retain his place whether Forest Green opt for a back three or back four.

Kevin Dawson created the goal for Joseph Mills with a delightful cross and he could stay in the centre of midfield for the visitors.

George Williams is a long-term absentee for Rovers, but full-back Liam Shephard could make his first appearance of the season, with Cooper confirming he is back in training.

“Willo (Williams) is obviously out with a long-term one, and Shep (Shephard) is back in training now,” Cooper said.

The Opposition

(Image: Getty Images)

Bournemouth have made a mixed start to the season in the Premier League, sitting in 11th place with four points.

An opening day draw with newly-promoted Sheffield United was then built on with a win at Aston Villa before losing to champions Manchester City 3-1 on Sunday.

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Harry Wilson has been one of the Cherries’ most impressive players this term, scoring twice, including a stunning free-kick versus City at the weekend.

Wilson could start for Bournemouth after being brought on as a first-half replacement for Charlie Daniels, who was stretchered off against the Manchester giants.

Dominic Solanke, a £19m signing from Liverpool in January, has been tipped to start, and Jordan Ibe is also in contention with both players looking to place themselves in manager Eddie Howe’s mind.

Andrew Surman and Jack Simpson could also start for the Cherries, with the cup tie giving Howe the chance to rest some of his first-choice players and give an opportunity to the fringe players.

Past Meetings

These two teams have met twice in the past, both times in the 2004/05 season in the FA Cup. Jefferson Louis scored to cancel out Steve Fletcher’s opening goal for Bournemouth.

Forest Green earned themselves a replay with the draw in Nailsworth, but the Cherries proved to be too much for Rovers in the repeat game.

Alan Connell opened the scoring for Bournemouth, at the formerly-named Fitness First Stadium.

John Spicer made it 2-0, before Des Lyttle halved the deficit late on, but the Cherries wrapped the game up through Dani Rodrigues in stoppage-time.

Match Odds (via OddsChecker)

AFC Bournemouth win: 1/4

Draw: 6/1

Forest Green Rovers win: 12/1

Ticket Prices

For tickets sat in the away end at The Vitality Stadium:

Adult: £10

Concession (65+): £5

Under 16: £1