Forest Green Rovers v York City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Forest Green Rovers and York City are two sides at different stages of their long-term plans, yet both share a mutual goal this season - achieve promotion to League Two.

Rovers made it all the way up to League One thanks to some clever investment, but two poor seasons, back-to-back, means they are back in the National League. 

York, meanwhile, are in the embryonic stage of their journey, which could replicate Forest Green’s rise to League One if all goes to plan. The investment arrived last year but took a while to be spent, but it is proving to have been worth the wait as they are sitting top of the National League after 17 games. 

Forest Green are hot on their tails, though, sitting just one point behind in second, suggesting Saturday’s clash at the New Lawn could be a classic. 

Forest Green Rovers v York City betting tips and predictions

York draw no bet - 1/1

Forest Green will have expected to make an immediate return to the EFL following their disappointing relegation last term but, due to the National League boasting just one automatic promotion spot and that being reserved for the champions, they seem to have their work cut out in achieving that goal. 

They have performed excellently this season, taking 37 points from their first 51 available, yet there is one big obstacle between them and the National League summit, Adam Hinshelwood’s relentless York. 

The Minstermen are one point better off than Rovers and they are on an exceptional run at current. York have gone 12 league games without a defeat since a shock 2-0 loss to Boston United in August, winning nine of the matches in that run. 

Perhaps most impressive, though, is York’s away form. Hinshelwood’s side have avoided defeat in each of their six away matches in the National League this term, winning on four of those road trips. 

Backers of Forest Green will point to the home form of Saturday’s hosts as a counter to that argument, but a dive into the opposition each has faced suggests that York are the value pick at the prices. 

Rovers have won five of their six league home games this term but only one of those victories came against a side - Altrincham - who entered this round of fixtures in the top 10 of the division. 

The run has seen them beat Dagenham & Redbridge, Braintree, Fylde and Ebbsfleet, the latter three of which are in the bottom seven at current, suggesting this visit from York will be their toughest test of the season, and by some distance too. 

The Minstermen have already gone to top-nine sides Solihull Moors and Halifax and won this season, suggesting they have what it takes to earn three points in Nailsworth. 

Over 2.5 goals - 9/10

Hinshelwood arrived at York in February with his new side sat 20th in the National League table. He ultimately did not improve on that league position, but the football was much better and he achieved his goal of survival. 

That was key in the club’s plan as the investment was ready to be spent, and spent it was. Hinshelwood brought in Joe Felix and Ollie Pearce from his former side Worthing alongside plenty of other fresh faces, and the manager’s attacking style is beginning to shine through now he has the right players to work with. 

Hinshelwood’s former side Worthing scored 92 goals in the 2022/23 season and then 104 the following term, highlighting his affinity for attacking play. That has carried over into his time with York as the Minstermen have netted 33 league goals already this season. 

With every passing week they are looking more dangerous going forwards and York have netted a combined 19 goals in their last six matches. Their potent attack will be key to any success at the New Lawn. 

However, that is not to say Forest Green are short in the attacking department themselves. Rovers have also netted 33 league goals this season, suggesting Saturday could see plenty of net-bulging action in Nailsworth. 

Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of York’s last five away games as well as in five of Forest Green’s six home league matches this term, making the same bet a huge runner for Saturday’s top-two clash. 

Ollie Pearce anytime goalscorer - 5/2 

As aforementioned, Hinshelwood was a huge fan of Pearce at Worthing and, after the striker’s ridiculous tally of 43 goals in 46 games last term, it was no surprise to see the two reunite in the National League this season. 

That rekindling has gone as well as expected too, with Pearce’s nine league goals for the Minstermen only being bettered by Fylde’s Nick Haughton in the English fifth tier this term, and the York hot shot looks a big price to net on Saturday. 

The visitors’ talisman has scored in each of his last four league games, netting six goals in that run, and he could cause a lot of trouble for a Forest Green defence which has gone five matches without a clean sheet.

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Forest Green Rovers v York City odds

Forest Green Rovers - 13/10
Draw - 5/2
York City - 9/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.