It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2015, when they met in the National League South, a game in which Sutton ran out 2-0 winners.

Match preview

Sutton United manager Matt Gray as Aldershot's assistant coach in December 2014 © Reuters

Sutton have endured a difficult spell in League Two recently, so their FA Cup obligation may come as a welcome distraction for Matt Gray's side.

Indeed, the Yellows have won just one of their last eight games, a run that leaves them 17th in the standings, far below the eighth-placed finish that they managed in the 2021-22 campaign.

Creating chances has been an issue that has plagued Gray's men, going three games without a goal at the start of October, and this problem reared its ugly ahead in their last match, a 3-0 defeat at Stockport County.

The U's recorded just one shot on target in their away trip, although they were not helped by a third-minute red card being awarded to forward Omar Bugiel, which meant that getting anything from the game was always going to be an uphill battle.

It should not be as difficult a contest on Saturday though, with the Yellows two divisions above their opponents, who play in the National League South.

Farnborough are certainly the underdogs, but they will be boosted by their recent league form, winning three of their last four games, albeit all by one-goal margins, in tight affairs.

Their opponents have the luxury of coming into the competition at the first round stage, but this is not the case for Boro, who have had to win three qualifiers to reach this stage for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

After edging past Hayes & Yeading 2-0 in a replay, Spencer Day's side breezed through the next two rounds, defeating Swindon Supermarine 5-1 before thrashing Biggleswade Town 7-0 to secure their place in the first round proper.

Last time out, two goals from Hisham Kasimu ensured that Boro were 2-1 winners against Oxford City, a side that have also made the first round, making an away trip of their own to Fleetwood Town.

Sutton United form (all competitions):

Farnborough Town FA Cup form:

Farnborough Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Sutton did lodge an appeal about the three-game ban that Bugiel must serve after being sent off against Stockport, but they were unsuccessful, and he will be unavailable for the U's.

With that in mind, Gray is set to start with Kylian Kouassi and Donovan Wilson as part of a front two, in what is set to be a 4-4-2 system.

Adam Lovatt and Craig Eastmond both started in the away trip to Stockport, and they should get the nod again, with Will Randall and Josh Neufville on either side.

As for the visitors, striker Kasimu is in red-hot form, and he has proven to his manager that he deserves to test himself against EFL opposition, with Francis Amartey his likely partner in attack.

19-year-old midfielder Selim Saied scored a brace in the last qualifying round against Biggleswade Town, with Day likely to start the youngster alongside Sam Deering.

Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Ward; Kizzi, Rowe, John, Milsom; Neufville, Lovatt, Eastmond, Randall; Kouassi, Wilson

Farnborough Town possible starting lineup:
Turner; Ball, Lokko, Grant, Norville-Williams; Pendlebury, Deering, Saied, Young; Kamisu, Amartey

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We say: Sutton United 3-0 Farnborough Town

Sutton have not been at the races in recent times, but there is still a big gulf in quality between the two sides. This game serves as a perfect opportunity for the U's to get their season back on track, and we think that they will win comfortably.

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Top tip

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