Forest Green Rovers vs York City Prediction

While England’s top two leagues make their traditional two week pause for the November international break, it is business as usual for teams in League One and below, with 34 fixtures being played across the bottom three divisions of the EFL pyramid this coming weekend.

One such game sees National League table toppers York City take on the leaders of the chasing pack in Forest Green Rovers, a meeting that, whichever way it swings, will have big ramifications on the title race.

As the crunch first vs second fixtures approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick off.

Key Statistics

• Both sides have scored 33 goals each in the league this season, the second most behind third placed Barnet.
• They also have almost identical win/loss records, having won the same number. However, Rovers have drawn four and lost two, while York have drawn five and lost just one.
• Since their first meeting back in 2009, there has never been a goalless meeting between the two sides.
• They have the two best defensive records in the National League; Forest Green Rovers have conceded 14, while York have leaked just 12.

Forest Green Rovers Preview

Forest Green Rovers Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Jed Ward (GK); Jamie Robson, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Inniss, Sean Long; Liam Sercombe, Adam May, Charlie McCann; Emmanuel Osadebe, Christian Doidge, Kyle McAllister.

Forest Green Rovers, and perhaps Barnet, can be paired as the only sides in the National League who look like they can give York City a run for their money at the minute. Rovers have been prolific goal scorers, and in their last five games alone have bagged 13 goals.

They have also not lost in the league since late September, and have five wins in six games since, an intimidating record for any team to hold.

However, this is not surprising, relegated from League Two last season, Forest Green were always expected to be contenders for immediate promotion, and having kept most of the squad that competed in the division above, they are making National League football look rather simple.

Bearing that in mind, I think there is a distinct possibility that Rovers top the table come the end of the weekend. However, once we have addressed York City, it will become clear that it will be far from straightforward.

York City Preview

York City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Harrison Male (GK); Joe Felix, Callum Howe, Malachi Walcott, Ryan Fallowfield; Ricky Aguiar, Tyrese Sinclair, Alex Hunt; Ashley Nathaniel-George, Olli Pearce, Luca Thomas.

York City sit at the summit of the league for a reason. They suffered their only league defeat in August, and bar three draws, have beaten everyone put in front of them since.

The fact they were able to push League One Wycombe Wanderers to the brink in their FA Cup meeting two weeks ago speaks volumes. York City are a side too strong to be in the National League, and whether they win or lose against Forest Green, will be in and around the top two come the end of the season.

However, recently, chinks of light have appeared in their seemingly impenetrable armor. Including their loss to Wycombe, York have conceded six goals in their last two games, and opponents are starting to figure out how to bypass their so far stubborn defence.

The flip side of that is that York are prolific in front of goal, and when they create a chance, they usually take it more often than not. The game against York is not so much to keep them out, but to outscore them, and if any side can do it, it’s Forest Green Rovers.

Forest Green Rovers vs York City Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 29/04/2017: York 2-2 Forest Green.
• 20/08/2016: Forest Green 2-1 York.
• 28/04/2012: York 1-0 Forest Green.
• 26/11/2011: Forest Green 1-1 York
• 22/01/2011: York 2-1 Forest Green

Historical Head to Head - Forest Green Rover: 2. Drawn: 2. York City: 2.

Forest Green Rovers vs York City Betting Tip

Being the National League’s two finest sides so far this season, there is virtually nothing to split Forest Green and York; they have almost identical goal and win/loss records, and that is why we are backing this game to end in a draw.

It would be the fairest outcome for both sides, and should Barnet conquer Dagenham and Redbridge in their earlier kick-off, the top three sides in the league will be separated by just two points, making the title race very interesting.

Forest Green Rovers vs York City Final Prediction

Forest Green 1-1 York City

While both sides have been lethal in front of goal, they both have excellent defence, and in my view they look more likely to shut each other out than outscore each other. It will be an unusually low-scoring game for both sides, and the result won’t do either of them any favours.