This weekends clash sees two title favourites meet, with Forest Green hosting York in the West Country. Read our match in focus match preview and betting tips below.
To the surprise of many, Steve Cotterill was dismissed as Forest Green manager in the summer, with the divisive figure of Robbie Savage appointed as his replacement. The Welshman had just won promotion to the National League North with Macclesfield, so the appointment signified a step up for the 50-year-old.
He has taken the step up like a duck to water, with his side top of the National League after 11 games. On the pitch, performances have been brilliant - 20 goals scored is the third most and six goals conceded is the third fewest. They have taken 27 points from a possible 33 and are still unbeaten sat top of the league.
The New Lawn has been somewhat of a fortress for Rovers, picking up 13 points in five games, scoring nine goals and conceding just one.
Kyle McAllister has been a mainstay in the midfield since arriving from Partick Thistle. The box-to-box midfielder captains The Greens and scored ten goals in 45 starts last campaign. He looks set to break the ten-goal mark again this season with three goals to his name already. McAllister makes Forest Green tick and will be crucial if they are to get a result on Saturday.
After a slow (to their standards) start to the season, Matt Uggla made the shock decision to dismiss highly popular manager Adam Hinshelwood, appointing Stuart Maynard a few hours later. It looks to have inspired the team- The Minstermen have won four of the five games under his stewardship, scoring 15 goals in the process. York are nine points off the table toppers already but have two games in hand, so avoiding defeat will be imperative.
Their only defeat so far this campaign came in a shock 0-1 defeat to Solihull Moors - a game in which they dominated from minute one. They responded to this embarrassment by smashing fellow title favourites Carlisle 5-0 so come into this game full of confidence. To add to this, key trio Joe Felix, Ollie Pearce and Alex Hunt all signed a new contract this week, so there is a real buzz around the place.
York have a team brimming with talent but the stand out is undoubtedly Ollie Pearce. The 30-year-old is fourth in the top scorer ranking with five goals, looking to add to last seasons golden boot campaign where he scored 31 league goals. He has now scored 138 goals over the last four seasons.
Forest Green have been somewhat of a bogey team for York over the years. They have met four times since 2016, with York taking just two points. Last year, Rovers ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Harvey Bunker and Kyle McAllister, before York were held to a 1-1 draw , with Harry Cardwell's 54th minute goal seeing Forest Green leave the LNER with a share of the spoils.
Alex Hunt, fresh off his new contract midweek, is a key component of Stuart Maynard's midfield, playing a full 90 in all five games. Last season saw his best goal return with four goals and he has scored three goals this season - all coming under Maynard's reign,
The brace against Tamworth was a testament to his undoubted ability - two screamers from distance. In what is set to be a tight game, another worldie may be needed to unlock a resilient Forest Green defence.
Prediction: Alex Hunt goal @8.00
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