Forge vs York United: Predicted Lineups and Team News

Forge welcome York United to Tim Hortons Field in a Canadian Premier League Group Stage clash that could further underline the gap between the two sides in the 2026 campaign. Forge sit 2nd with 41 points from 19 matches, boasting a goal difference of +15 and one of the strongest defensive records in the league. York United, by contrast, arrive in Hamilton in 7th place on 18 points from 17 games, with a goal difference of -15 and the leakiest defence in the division.

Recent meetings strongly favour Forge: they have beaten York United three times already in 2026, including 3-1 and 4-1 away wins at York Lions Stadium. With that backdrop, this fixture matters for both ends of the table. Forge are pushing to keep pace in the title race, while York United need points to pull away from the bottom and restore confidence after a run of inconsistent results. That makes the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices particularly important as both coaches balance form, fatigue and tactical matchups.

Stats suggest a relatively balanced outcome probability-wise, with the prediction model giving Forge a 45% chance to win, the draw also at 45%, and York United at just 10%. However, the overall comparison index is heavily tilted towards Forge at 69.8 vs 30.2, and the head-to-head index stands at 93 vs 7 in Forge’s favour. All of that sets the stage for a match where the home side are expected to dictate, but where team selection and in-game management could still swing the result.

Forge Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Forge come into this game with strong underlying numbers and a solid recent league record of LWWLL in their last five league fixtures. Despite a couple of setbacks, they remain one of the most consistent sides in the Canadian Premier League, combining a disciplined back line with enough attacking variety to break teams down. With no injuries or suspensions listed, the coaching staff should have a full squad available, which supports a strong, expected starting lineup at home.

No significant absences reported. That allows Forge to lean into their preferred attacking-minded shape, often built from a secure defensive base and a flexible midfield. Given their league lineups have frequently used systems with three forwards or advanced attacking midfielders, we can expect a side that looks to press York United high, dominate territory, and use wide areas and set pieces to exploit a fragile visiting defence.

Forge Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Bertaud
DF: M. Jevremović, D. Krutzen, D. Nimick, R. Rama
MF: A. Aromatario, K. Bekker, Molham Babouli, B. Paton
FW: T. Borges, N. Ampomah, I. Oketokoun

This predicted lineup blends Forge’s defensive solidity with their key creative and goalscoring threats. At the back, D. Nimick is not just a cornerstone defender but also a genuine goal threat; he has 3 league goals, including 2 from the penalty spot, and carries a strong rating across 17 starts. Partnered by experienced defenders like M. Jevremović and supported by the aggressive full-back play of R. Rama, Forge are well placed to contain York United’s forwards while remaining dangerous on set pieces.

In midfield, A. Aromatario provides ball-winning and balance, as reflected by his high duel and tackle numbers and heavy involvement across 16 appearances. Veteran playmaker K. Bekker and the technically gifted Molham Babouli add control and progression, while B. Paton offers energy between the lines. Ahead of them, the expected front line is built around top-assist creator T. Borges, who has 3 assists and 1 goal with a strong creative output (17 key passes). His link-up with wide attacker N. Ampomah (2 goals, 1 assist) and the direct threat of I. Oketokoun (2 goals) gives Forge multiple ways to hurt York United, from dribbling in wide zones to late runs into the box.

York United Team News & Expected Lineups Today

York United’s season has been far more turbulent. Their league form string of LDWDL in the last five matches captures the inconsistency: occasional bright attacking performances undermined by defensive frailty. They have conceded 37 goals in 17 league games, an average of 2.2 per match, and their away record (1 win, 4 draws, 4 defeats) highlights how often they struggle to control games on the road. Coming into a stadium where they have repeatedly suffered heavy defeats to Forge, the visitors will likely prioritise compactness in their expected lineup today.

No significant absences reported. That gives York United’s staff the flexibility to choose from all key attackers, including their leading scorers and creators. With lineups today needing to balance defensive protection and counter-attacking threat, we should see a structure that keeps enough bodies behind the ball but still allows their top scorers and assist providers to break quickly when possession is won.

York United Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: I. Pavela
DF: J. Córdova, C. Guzmán, O. León, R. López, F. Sturing
MF: O. Bassett, S. Yeates, K. Kibato, B. Badibanga
FW: T. Skublak, J. Altobelli

York United’s predicted starting lineup leans heavily on their most productive attacking players while reinforcing the back line with experience. At the heart of the attack, T. Skublak is the clear focal point: he has 4 league goals and 1 assist, with 14 shots and 7 on target, plus strong duel numbers that underline his ability to occupy defenders. Alongside him, J. Altobelli also has 4 goals from the front line, making this pair the primary scoring threat in open play.

Behind them, creative responsibility is likely to fall on B. Badibanga, who leads the team with 3 assists and has 10 key passes despite relatively limited minutes. His ability to drift between lines and deliver the final ball will be crucial if York United are to exploit transitions. In central areas, the likes of O. Bassett, S. Yeates and K. Kibato provide work rate and ball progression, helping to connect defence to attack. The back five unit built around experienced defenders such as J. Córdova, C. Guzmán and F. Sturing is expected to sit deep, protect the box, and attempt to reduce the space available to Forge’s creative players, particularly Borges and Ampomah.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, this match is set up as a straight tactical and physical battle between full-strength squads. That increases the importance of coaching decisions, in-game adjustments, and how effectively each team can impose their game plan over 90 minutes. It also means that both Forge and York United can rely on their established leaders and in-form players, rather than patching holes with squad depth.

Forge Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

York United Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

From a tactical standpoint, Forge’s predicted lineup is built to control the tempo and territory. Their defensive record – just 14 goals conceded in 19 league games – and their strong defensive index relative to York United (67 vs 33) suggest they will be comfortable holding a relatively high line, especially at home. With creators like T. Borges and Molham Babouli operating between the lines and wide forwards such as N. Ampomah and I. Oketokoun stretching the pitch, Forge are well placed to exploit York United’s vulnerable defensive structure, particularly in the half-spaces and on set pieces where D. Nimick is a major threat.

York United, by contrast, are likely to adopt a more reactive approach, even if their lineup includes two recognised forwards. Their attack index slightly edges Forge’s (54 vs 46), but their defensive numbers are significantly weaker, which should push them towards a compact block and quick counter-attacks. The key matchup will be how well their defensive unit – including J. Córdova, C. Guzmán and F. Sturing – can handle the movement of Borges and the physicality of Forge’s forwards. In transition, York United will look to find early passes into T. Skublak and J. Altobelli, with B. Badibanga joining from midfield to create overloads. If they can survive Forge’s early pressure and keep the game level into the second half, their ability to score in bursts, especially between minutes 46 and 60, could give them a route back into the contest.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All indicators point towards Forge being strong favourites at Tim Hortons Field. They are higher in the table, have a far superior goal difference, and have dominated the recent head-to-head series with multiple multi-goal wins. The prediction model gives Forge and the draw equal probabilities at 45%, with York United at just 10%, underlining both the home side’s superiority and the possibility that York’s defensive resilience on the day could still grind out a result.

Given Forge’s defensive solidity, their attacking depth featuring key contributors like D. Nimick, T. Borges and N. Ampomah, and York United’s tendency to concede heavily away from home, the most likely scenario is a controlled home win. However, York United’s forward duo of T. Skublak and J. Altobelli ensures they carry enough threat to get on the scoresheet if Forge lose concentration, so a narrow margin of victory feels the most realistic verdict.

Predicted Outcome: Forge 1-0 York United

How to Watch Forge vs York United Worldwide

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

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: National or regional sports channel, plus selected streaming services
• USA / North America: Soccer-focused cable network or dedicated streaming platform
• South America: Regional sports network with Canadian Premier League rights
• MENA: Pan-regional sports broadcaster or digital streaming service