Mansfield Town is set to face Northampton Town this Saturday at One Call Stadium. This match is crucial for both teams, as they are positioned closely to the relegation zone in League One.
Mansfield Town vs Northampton Town: Match Preview
Currently, Mansfield Town holds the 15th spot in the League One table, five points clear of relegation. In contrast, Northampton Town sits at 23rd, seven points adrift of safety. The Stags are experiencing a decent run, remaining unbeaten in their last five league matches.
In their most recent fixture against Bradford City, Mansfield managed to secure a 1-1 draw, marking manager Nigel Clough’s 300th game with the club. Victor Adeboyejo opened the scoring for Mansfield, but a stunning goal from Tyreik Wright equalized for Bradford. Clough praised his team’s resilience, attributing the draw to their fighting spirit amid a grueling schedule of six matches in 18 days.
Mansfield’s Defensive Strength
Mansfield boasts one of the strongest defensive records in League One. They rank behind only Stevenage, Bolton Wanderers, and Lincoln City in terms of goals conceded. Furthermore, Mansfield has a favorable record against Northampton, winning three of their last four encounters.
Northampton’s Struggles
Northampton Town recently dismissed their manager, Kevin Nolan, following a streak of six consecutive league losses. The Cobblers currently find themselves in a precarious position under interim manager Colin Calderwood. They have lost their last two matches against Burton Albion and Stockport County, contributing to their second-bottom ranking in League One.
Moreover, Northampton possesses one of the poorest away records in the league. They have not won an away match since November and have struggled offensively, scoring only three goals in their last eight league outings. Currently, only Port Vale has fewer goals than Northampton.
Team News
Mansfield will likely make a change due to Jordan Bowery’s injury against Bradford. Stephen McLaughlin is expected to step in. Louis Reed and Frazer Blake-Tracy are also doubtful for this match, having missed the previous game. Tyler Roberts and Luke Bolton remain sidelined with calf injuries.
For Northampton, key players Elliott List, Liam Shaw, Nesta Guinness-Walker, and Dean Campbell will miss the game due to injuries. Cameron McGeehan is anticipated to continue in midfield after scoring in their last match against Stockport, while Tyrese Fornah is expected to partner him.
Possible Line-ups
| Mansfield Town | Northampton Town |
|---|---|
| Roberts | Burge |
| Knoyle | Burroughs |
| Oshilaja | Moore |
| Sweeney | Guthrie |
| Moriah-Welsh | McCarthy |
| Lewis | McGeehan |
| Hendry | Fornah |
| Russell | Hoskins |
| McLaughlin | McAdam |
| Adeboyejo | Perkins |
| Gardner | Eaves |
Match Prediction
Considering Northampton’s current form, it is likely they will struggle against Mansfield. Our prediction is a narrow victory for Mansfield Town, possibly ending 1-0.
