Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Barnsley play host to Forest Green at their Oakwell in the League One round 17. The Tykes do not seem to be at their sharpest, with the team collecting only one point in total from the last four league fixtures, but they are still seen as slim favourites to beat the Green Army on home soil. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Forest Green, on the other hand, are on four-game winless run in the League One as well, and given their shaky defence that have conceded 33 goals so far this term, Barnsley will not have a better chance than this to return to winning ways. It has to be noted that the two teams meet for the first time ever in the English third tier. Both Udoka Godwin-Malife and Matt Stevens are sidelined with injuries for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Ben Stevenson):
Ben Stevenson is a product of a Coventry City football academy who plays for Colchester United as a midfielder. Born in Leicester on March 23, 1997, Stevenson started his senior career at Coventry City and made his debut with the Sky Blues on August 9, 2016, in the League Cup game against Portsmouth.
The English footballer moved to Wolverhampton in the 2018/2019 season, but he did not see any game action in the league with the Wolves. After ending his loan spells with Colchester United and Jumilla, Ben Stevenson signed a permanent two-and-a-half year contract with the U’s on January 30, 2019. He made his second debut for Colchester United against Northampton Town on February 2, 2019.
His primary position is central midfield, but he is capable of producing good performances as a defensive midfielder as well. His preferred foot is right, and he wears the number 24 shirt at Colchester.
Highlighted Team (Forest Green):
Forest Green are an English club which was founded back in 1889. The Rovers host fellow League Two teams at the New Lawn, the stadium with the capacity of 5,302. Forest Green played their first home league game on October 6, 1889, with the team sharing the spoils with Brimscombe.
Green is the dominant colour of their home kit, and Forest Green footballers wear black shirts and black shorts when playing on the travels. In the 1981/82 season the club won the FA Vase, with the team beating Rainworth Miners Welfare 3-0 in the title game at Wembley Stadium.
It has to noted that town of Nailsworth, where Forest Green are based, is the smallest settlement to ever host a Football League club. In December 2012 the club won a prize for growing a field without using chemicals. cheltenham town are regarded as one of the club’s fiercest rivals.