Yeovil Town vs Forest Green Prediction

Right then, let's talk about Friday night under the lights at Huish Park. Yeovil Town, sitting 14th, welcome the high-flyers Forest Green, who are joint-top of the National League. On paper, it's a bit of a mismatch, but football's not played on paper, is it?

Forest Green are the story here. Second in the table, only two losses all season, and they've been banging them in lately. In their last ten games, they've scored 23 goals – that's more than two a game. They smashed Weston-super-Mare 4-0, put three past Gateshead, four past Tamworth, and even beat a very good Boreham Wood side 2-1. The bloke down the bookies has them at just 1.57 to win, which tells you everything.

But hold your horses. While they're brilliant going forward, they've been a bit leaky on their travels. In their last three away games, they've conceded 2.33 goals per match. They let in two against Aldershot Town (who are bottom) and drew 1-1 with Wealdstone. Their games are rarely dull – both teams have scored in a whopping 80% of their last ten outings.

Now, what about Yeovil? Well, they've been having a tough old time, but there are tiny green shoots. They've actually won two of their last three league games, beating Hartlepool 2-0 and Boston United 2-1. They're still not free-scoring, mind you, with just seven goals in their last ten. But at home, they've managed to score in three of their last four matches in all competitions. They're not completely toothless.

And here's the kicker – history is not on Yeovil's side. Forest Green have won six of the last nine meetings between these two, including a comfortable 2-0 win back in August. Yeovil's home record against them is poor, with just one win in five attempts.

So, what's the play? Forest Green are rightly favourites, but at 1.57, there's not much juice in that lemon for me. The value, I reckon, lies in the goals market. Forest Green score for fun but concede on the road. Yeovil are showing slight signs of life in front of goal. All the ingredients are there for both teams to get on the scoresheet.

The bookies offer 1.80 for Both Teams to Score – Yes. Given Forest Green's defensive record away and Yeovil's recent scoring, I think that's a much more interesting punt than backing the short-priced favourite.

Key Points:

Forest Green are 2nd, scoring an average of 2.3 goals per game in their last 10.

Yeovil are 14th but have won two of their last three league matches (2-0 vs Hartlepool, 2-1 vs Boston).

Head-to-head is one-sided: Forest Green have won 6 of the last 9 meetings.

Forest Green concede goals away from home (2.33 per game in last 3 away).

• Both teams have scored in 80% of Forest Green's last 10 games.

In a nutshell: Forest Green are the better side and should create chances, but their defence on the road has been suspect. Yeovil, with a bit of recent confidence, should be able to capitalise at least once. The smart money here is on Both Teams to Score.