The game of the weekend in the National League is undoubtedly Gateshead vs Forest Green - our match in focus.
Gateshead missed out on the playoffs last year due to their ground not meeting EFL standards. It was a season of resilience for the Heed who lost manager Mike Williamson to League 2 promotion hopeful MK Dons during the season.
It was a seamless in-house transition for Rob Elliot who led Gateshead to the top seven before the unfortunate banishment from the playoffs.
This season, Gateshead started on the front foot, with five wins and two draws from seven games putting them top of an extremely competitive National League. However, a shock 7-1 dismantling at the hands of Dagenham and Redbridge has seen them drop down to fifth - albeit with a game in hand. A home game against second-place Forest Green will be seen as the perfect shot at redemption.
Rob Elliot's side have been impressive at home, winning all four games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just three goals in the process. Wins against Ebbsfleet (5-1), Yeovil (3-1), Eastleigh (2-1) and Barnet (2-0) see Gateshead as one of just two clubs with a 100% home record in the fifth tier. With 17 goals scored, only Barnet (19) have scored more goals.
Forest Green suffered back-to-back relegations to the National League after reaching League One for the first time in their history. A string of unsuccessful managerial punts from ambitious chairman Dale Vince coupled with uncharacteristically poor recruitment has seen them slide into non-league for the first time since 2017.
Under the guise of the vastly experienced Steve Cotterill, Forest Green have started this season strong, losing just once - a 1-0 loss at a Barnet side with a 100% home record. A last-minute Wealdstone equaliser stopped Rovers winning five games in a row, but they still sit second in the league.
In what should be a high-scoring affair, there will be value in the goalscoring market for both teams.
Owen Oseni was signed from Championship side Derby County on a free transfer in the summer after eight goals in fifteen appearances on loan at Rushall Olympic last season. The powerful forward had an impressive record in pre-season and has scored three goals in eight appearances for the Heed thus far.
Christian Doidge is Forest Green's record goal scorer, scoring 66 goals in 122 appearances between 2016 and 2019, even scoring at Wembley as the Rovers were promoted to League 2 for the first time in their history. After signing for Bolton Wanderers - then in the Championship, Doidge signed for Scottish club Hibernian where he became a fan favourite. He then signed for Forest Green in January but was unsuccessful in his attempts to keep them up.
This season, the 32-year-old has shone, scoring six goals in nine appearances.
Prediction: Christian Doidge and Owen Oseni to score @8.00 - Bet365
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