Colchester v Forest Green predictions: Leaders can expect tight contest in Essex

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Colchester v Forest Green in League Two on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Monday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
2pts 17-20 Betfair, Paddy Power

Team news

Colchester
Interim manager Wayne Brown could name the same 11 that started Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Forest Green
Udoka Godwin-Malife is available after suspension, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench with Dan Sweeney preferred in defence. Jack Aitchison is pushing for a recall in midfield.

Match preview

Forest Green set a relentless gallop in this season's League Two title race but they have hit a flat spot recently and are aiming to snap a seven-game winless streak at Colchester on Monday.

Rovers' superb start to the campaign means there is no need for panic just yet and they remain favourites to be promoted to League One as champions.

On paper, a trip to Colchester offers Rob Edwards' men a good chance to get back to winning ways but the Essex side have picked up under interim manager Wayne Brown.

At around evens, Forest Green will have their backers although a more tempting bet is under 2.5 goals, which has copped in eight of the leaders' last ten league fixtures.

Five of their last six away games ended 1-1, a scoreline that can be backed at 6-1 at Colchester, and half of Rovers' 18 road fixtures have finished all-square, including a remarkable 5-5 draw at Oldham in December.

There may not be quite that level of entertainment in front of the Sky cameras at the Community Stadium, where the hosts should be confident of frustrating their highflying visitors.

Brown's third spell as temporary boss of Colchester began with a 3-0 win at Salford in January and all four of their defeats in the 13 matches since his appointment came against top-half teams.

The U's beat Port Vale 1-0 in their last home game and have conceded only four first-half goals in 13 league matches under Brown so Forest Green could find them hard to break down.

Colchester are still averaging under a goal per game this season but they defended well in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat away to in-form Bristol Rovers and the leaders may have to work hard if they are to claim a first victory since February 8.

Key stat

There have been under 2.5 goals in eight of Forest Green's last ten League Two matches.

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