Luton vs Forest Green Preview & Prediction | 2026-27 English FA Cup | First Round
by Trystan Pugh ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Luton host Forest Green on Saturday afternoon in a first round contest in the 2026-27 FA Cup.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not Televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Cannot be streamed
Luton vs Forest Green prediction
For the second year running, Luton and Forest Green meet in the first round. Forest Green lost 4-3 at Luton in the first round last season, when they were already a National League side (their best recent run was to the third round in 2022-23, when they were in League One), and Luton’s own run ended in the next round when Fleetwood beat them on penalties. The Hatters’ best recent run was to the fifth round in 2023-24, and they arrive as one of the form sides in League One. They sit fourth, are unbeaten in five and won four in a row before drawing 1-1 at table-topping Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, so that run has not come against soft opposition.
What defines them this season is the open style. Luton had scored 26 and conceded 20 in their first 13 league games, which is a scoring spree at one end and a defence that rarely keeps a clean sheet at the other. That profile makes a lopsided but eventful result more likely than a 1-0.
Forest Green had to work for their place, needing a replay to get past Chesham United before winning it 5-0. In the National League they are 16th with five wins from 14, a slide after finishing seventh last season, and they have conceded 24 times, a rate that suggests a visit to Kenilworth Road could turn ugly. A 2-0 win over Eastleigh and a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town last week show they will have a go, but two divisions is a lot to bridge. We expect Luton to win with goals to spare.
Luton vs Forest Green tip: Luton to win & over 2.5 goals
