Colchester vs. Forest Green Predictions: Rovers to finally start firing again

It's the international break and a quiet week for domestic football but Monday night brings us a televised League Two match, live on Sky Sports. We've asked our lower league stalwart Adam Roberts to preview this vital clash for both clubs and he's given us his best two bets for the contest. 

One could be forgiven when looking at the recent form of these clubs. for questioning if the League Two table was upside down. Forest Green are still five points clear at the top of the table, yet are winless in seven with just four points from a possible 21.  Colchester meanwhile, are all the way down in 20th and just eight points above the drop zone, however, under interim head coach Wayne Brown they could be described as being in reasonable form - winning two, drawing two and losing one of their last five. They will need to keep picking up points though, to avoid being dragged back into a relegation dogfight.

Rovers on the other hand, simply have to turn around this dreadful run of form; after losing just two of their previous 30 games, they've now lost three of their last six and are getting dragged in by the chasing pack. Manager Rob Edwards will be desperate to claim three points at the Colchester Community Stadium, to get their promotion charge back under way. 

United are expected to name an unchanged side here whilst Rovers are without several players: Udoka Godwin-Malife via suspension and Dominic Bernard, Elliott Whitehouse, Opi Edwards, Vaughn Covil and Harvey Bunker all injured. 

This was a difficult pick to make given the recent form of the two clubs involved. However, I'm expecting class to finally shine through here in front of the SKY cameras and for Forest Green to show us that they still possess an abundance of talent. The Green Army have a superior goal difference of +48 over Colchester and have genuine firepower in the form of Matty Stevens and Jamille Matt who have 39 goals between them.  Colchester are also down in 20th place for a reason - mainly due to their defence- which has conceded 51 goals this term. 

At almost evens I'm willing to take Forest Green to turn around their poor run of form and take the three points here as my main selection.

My second pick is based around Rovers striker Jamille Matt. The lower league veteran has had a decent career with spells are Kidderminster, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Newport amongst others, but has finally found his calling at Rovers. He scored 16 goals last season and has already topped that this campaign with 17. He's also formed a potent partnership with young Stevens. 32-year-old Jamaican Matt was named the 2021 League Two player of the season and was rewarded with the club captaincy for his efforts. He has been an ever present this year, starting every game for Forest Green.

As well as scoring goals and creating chances, Matt likes to put himself about on the field. He comfortably leads the side in fouls(73) and has picked up the second most cautions with six.

I've doubled him to score in the 90 minutes and to be carded which pays an attractive looking 19/1 at bet365.

If you like any of these selections then good luck and bet responsibly.