2025-26 FA Cup: First Round – Luton vs Forest Green

Luton Town host Forest Green Rovers in the opening first-round tie of 2025-26 FA Cup. 

Luton are looking to avoid a first-round exit for the first time since 2013-14 season when they were in the Conference Premier at the time.

Forest Green meanwhile will seek to avoid a second consecutive first-round exit in this competition.

 

Team News

Luton have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-1 victory against Brighton in the Vertu Trophy.

Shayden Morris remains sidelined with a groin injury.

Forest Green will be without forward, Temi Babalola because he is cup-tied, having played against them for Worthing in the Fourth Qualifying Round.

Kyle McAllister is set to again miss out due to a hand injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Luton host Forest Green at Kenilworth Road on Friday 31 October at 7:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Luton’s first-ever FA Cup meeting against Forest Green.
• Forest Green lost 3-1 in their only previous visit to Luton in April 2018 in 2017-18 League Two.
• Ex Hatter, Danny Hylton scored in both appearances against Forest Green that season (W2).
• Since their return to the EFL, Luton have won their two most recent meetings against non-league opposition (W2).
• Forest Green have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions (W2, D1, L2), during which they scored 10 goals and conceded nine goals.

 

Prediction

Whilst life back in League One hasn’t exactly been full of joy for Luton, they can take confidence from successive wins in their last two matches in all competitions, but they will need to be at their attacking best if want to keep building fresh momentum under Jack Wilshire.

Forest Green though are a strong attacking team but defending is their Achilles heel with a single clean sheet in their last eight games, but they won’t have this their own way given that they lost their sole previous trip to Luton who have the superior squad quality.

I however do think that this will be a close battle if Forest Green’s attack is firing on all power but Luton really should target their weak defence, because it is an opportunity for the Hatters to have a cup run and try and further build their momentum.

Prediction: Luton 2-1 Forest Green

Result: Luton 4-3 Forest Green