York United vs Forge Predicted Lineups: Team News for Canadian Premier League

York United welcome league leaders Forge to York Lions Stadium in a high-stakes Canadian Premier League group-stage clash. With York sitting 3rd on 12 points from 7 matches and Forge top on 19 points from 8, this fixture has early-season implications for the playoff race. York have been strong at home with 2 wins and 1 draw, scoring 7 and conceding just 3, while Forge have travelled superbly, winning 3 of their 4 away matches.

Head-to-head history underlines Forge’s recent dominance. They have regularly taken points off York, including a 3–0 and 2–0 home wins and a 2–1 away victory in 2025, and a series of strong results in 2024. York have drawn some of those encounters, but wins have been rare. That backdrop, combined with Forge’s superior defensive record (only 3 goals conceded in 8 league games), explains why many observers expect the visitors to control the tempo. This context makes the predicted lineups particularly important for understanding where York might look to tilt the balance.

Both sides come into this one in decent form. York’s overall run of 3 wins, 3 draws and just 1 defeat reflects a solid, upward trend, while Forge’s 6 wins from 8 underline a side used to dictating matches. With the top of the table already starting to take shape, the expected starting lineup choices from both coaches could be decisive in a contest that may be tight and tactical rather than high-scoring.

York United Team News & Expected Lineups Today

No injuries or suspensions are reported for York United, so the coaching staff should have a full squad available. Sitting 3rd with a positive goal difference of +3 (11 scored, 8 conceded), York have been efficient at both ends, particularly at home where they remain unbeaten. Their league form string of DWDWWDL shows only one loss in the early rounds, and they have not failed to score in any league match so far.

Given that context, an attacking-minded but still compact setup is expected. York’s home numbers — averaging 2.3 goals for and just 1.0 against per game — suggest they will not simply sit back against Forge, even acknowledging the visitors’ strength. Instead, the manager is likely to lean on his key attacking contributors and energetic wide players, aiming to disrupt Forge’s rhythm and turn this into a more open contest than the league leaders might prefer.

York United Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Urtiaga
DF: A. Bergman; J. Córdova; C. Guzmán; R. López; L. Singh; F. Sturing
MF: L. Accettola; O. Bassett; Gabriel Bitar; J. N. Costa; M. Ferrari; A. Morano; A. Umanzor; S. Yeates
FW: J. Altobelli; B. Badibanga; S. Gonzales; Shola Jimoh; T. Skublak

From this pool, the most likely starting lineup will be built around the attacking threat of T. Skublak and the creativity of players like J. Córdova and Shola Jimoh. Skublak is not only York’s leading scorer with 3 goals in 6 appearances, but he also carries an excellent rating of 8.6, with 5 shots on target from 6 attempts and 3 key passes. He is the focal point of the attack and is expected to lead the line in any realistic starting XI.

Supporting him, J. Altobelli offers secondary goal threat from advanced positions, having scored once and averaging a solid 7.0 rating. Wide and deeper creative supply is likely to come from J. Córdova, who has already provided 1 assist and 2 key passes from defence, and from Shola Jimoh, who also has an assist and a strong dribbling profile (7 attempts, 2 successful) that can break Forge’s structure. B. Badibanga adds further technical quality and ball progression, with 1 assist and a 7.5 rating in limited minutes, making him a strong candidate either to start or to be a high-impact option off the bench. The defensive unit will be anchored by experienced defenders such as C. Guzmán, R. López and F. Sturing, with L. Singh’s presence notable given his disciplinary record but also his passing accuracy and ability to step out with the ball.

Forge Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Forge also report no significant absences, a major boost for a side already leading the Canadian Premier League. Top of the table with 19 points, a goal difference of +7 and just 3 goals conceded in 8 games, they have been the most balanced team in the division. Their away record is especially impressive: 3 wins from 4, with 6 goals scored and 3 conceded, and 2 clean sheets across their home and away fixtures.

With that platform, the expected approach is a controlled, possession-based style built on a very solid defensive structure and a flexible attacking unit. Their recent league lineups have included shapes described as 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, underlining a preference for a back four and a strong central midfield. In terms of lineups today, that likely means continuity: a stable back line featuring their standout defenders and a midfield anchored by players comfortable in and out of possession, with pace and movement ahead of them.

Forge Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Bertaud
DF: A. Batisse; N. Bickford; M. Jevremović; D. Krutzen; D. Nimick; R. Rama
MF: A. Aromatario; Molham Babouli; K. Bekker; M. Bourgeois; Z. Bruno; N. Jensen; K. Lipovschek; B. Paton
FW: T. Borges; M. Filion; H. Massunda; I. Oketokoun; K. Tavernier; B. Wright

Within this group, the spine of the predicted starting lineup is clear. At the back, D. Nimick has been outstanding: 6 appearances, all starts, with a 7.87 rating, 87% passing accuracy, and strong defensive metrics (4 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 block). Alongside him, B. Paton, although listed as a midfielder, has been operating with defensive responsibility, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist, 106 passes at 80% accuracy, and 14 tackles. Together, they form the backbone of Forge’s excellent defensive record.

In midfield, A. Aromatario is a key figure. He has started all 8 matches, logged 360 minutes and amassed 186 passes at 80% accuracy, with 12 interceptions and 11 tackles. His 4 yellow cards underline his aggressive ball-winning style, but also his importance to Forge’s pressing and defensive transitions. Further forward, attacking impetus comes from the likes of T. Borges and, crucially, B. Wright. Wright is Forge’s leading scorer with 2 goals, including a penalty, and has 4 key passes and 7 total shots. His movement and finishing make him central to their attacking plan, whether as a lone striker or part of a fluid front three. Creative support can also come from experienced playmaker K. Bekker and the technically gifted Molham Babouli, both likely to feature prominently in the starting XI or as first-choice options.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions reported for either side, both managers have the rare luxury of full squads to choose from. That increases the tactical depth on both benches and heightens the competition for starting spots, particularly in attacking and wide positions where game-changers often emerge.

York United Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Forge Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This match is likely to hinge on the battle between York’s aggressive, home-focused attacking profile and Forge’s disciplined defensive block. York average 1.6 goals per game overall and have spread their scoring across different time periods, with particular strength after half-time. They have yet to fail to score this season, which suggests they will create chances even against Forge’s well-organised back line. The presence of T. Skublak as a high-impact focal point, supported by the likes of J. Altobelli and creative wide players such as Shola Jimoh and B. Badibanga, gives York multiple avenues to threaten — crosses, through balls, and direct runs at the back four.

Forge, however, bring a more complete package. They concede only 0.4 goals per game, with 6 clean sheets already, and have a defensive unit built around high-level performers like D. Nimick and B. Paton, screened by the industrious A. Aromatario. Their attack is not explosive in volume (10 goals in 8 games) but highly efficient, often striking in the middle and late phases of matches. With B. Wright leading the line and supported by creative and technical midfielders such as K. Bekker and Molham Babouli, Forge can exploit any over-commitment from York. In the wide areas, the duel between York’s attacking full-backs and Forge’s wingers and overlapping defenders will be crucial: if York’s wide players pin Forge back, the hosts can generate sustained pressure; if Forge win those battles, they can transition quickly into space behind York’s lines.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Squad strength, form trends and statistical comparison all tilt slightly in Forge’s favour. They have the stronger defensive numbers, a superior recent head-to-head record and a higher overall performance rating in both attack and defence. The predictive models rate the chances as 45% for Forge, 45% for a draw and only 10% for York, with the advice leaning towards a double chance of draw or Forge. The goals indicators point towards a low-scoring encounter, with both sides often staying under common goal thresholds.

Predicted Outcome: York United 1–1 Forge

How to Watch York United vs Forge Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: National football channel or major streaming service
• USA / North America: Regional sports network or dedicated soccer streaming platform
• South America: Continental sports broadcaster with Canadian football rights
• MENA: Pan-regional sports network or digital streaming partner