- York form: York City: W2, D1, L2 in their last five.
- Bristol form: Bristol Rovers: W3, D1, L1 in their last five.
- Home/away form: York City: W4, D0, L2 at home across all competitions. Bristol Rovers unbeaten away (W3, D1).
Two teams at two ends of the table
Match overview:
York City and Bristol Rovers arrive at the LNER Community Stadium for a match that is hard to call.
York's approach:
Scott Lindsey has made a decent start to his tenure as manager of the hosts and his identity has been set in the fact that the Minstermen are a possession-based team. York will try to dominate the center of the field and that could lead to an engaging chess match on the wings on Saturday.
Bristol's approach:
In contrast, Steve Evans has Rovers running at the opposition at every opportunity. They've been a free-flowing team with a lot of width, quick one-twos down the flanks and a willingness to press high up the field and force turnovers. That should lead to a fascinating matchup on the day.
York may have home advantage, but Bristol can play them level
The hosts are priced up at 2.2 for this one and while they're the home team and will want to press on in the game, we feel as though Bristol Rovers, at 3.2, should be much closer than they are in the odds here.
York are in mixed form after back-to- back defeats, while Bristol are flying after a minor cup setback against Peterborough United last week. York are a decent team and they have some nice players, but Rovers are the better side at the moment and are unbeaten away from home in all competitions (W3, D1).
Rovers are the sharper side
Key players and betting angles:
If Rovers can maintain the same tempo as they have done for much of the campaign, they will get in behind York and that's where we expect Ellis Harrison to get some joy.
That could point to a cagey game with the visitors taking a point, which is why we're going with under 2.5 goals at 1.75. Both Teams to Score – No at 1.85 also appeals in this match as Rovers will try to keep York quiet.
- The livewire attacker has scored five of Rovers' 10 goals in their last five matches and we think he could be worth a bet to score at any time against York.
- York have a few decent forwards but nothing that matches Harrison's recent impact and may have to rely on Ollie Pearce, who has scored two of their six goals in the last five games to be their cutting edge.
- York have won four and lost two at home in all competitions and Rovers have been very solid away, winning three and drawing one.
