Mansfieldvs.Northampton

Meanwhile, the visitors will attempt to claim a second straight victory after getting the better of Huddersfield Town in last Saturday's League One clash.

Match preview

Mansfield have endured a run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions since they recorded their most recent victory in an away meeting with Stockport County on January 4.

Their poor spell of form began with an FA Cup defeat against Wigan Athletic, before they went on to lose four straight league games against Wycombe Wanderers, Cambridge United, Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town.

Will Evans gave the Stags a fifth-minute lead in Saturday's away clash with Shrewsbury, but his opener ultimately counted for nothing, as Mansfield conceded two second-half goals to leave them with nothing to show for their efforts.

As a result of their losing run, Nigel Clough's side have started to drift away from the playoff race, with the 14th-placed side sitting seven points adrift of the top six ahead of Friday's meeting with the Cobblers.

However, Mansfield can take confidence from the 2-0 away victory they recorded in September's reverse fixture against Northampton, as well as the fact they have avoided defeat in each of their last 10 head-to-head home games.

Northampton are in a far more precarious position than their hosts, with the Cobblers languishing in 20th place after winning seven, drawing nine and losing 13 of their 29 league games this season.

Despite being just outside the drop zone, Northampton will head into Friday's fixture in a positive mood after moving five points clear of the bottom four with a 3-2 victory in last Saturday's home game against Huddersfield.

Sam Hoskins, Tom Eaves and Liam Shaw all found the net to give Kevin Nolan's side a sizable three-goal lead, and while Huddersfield managed to reduce the deficit to one, Northampton held their nerve to end their three-game winless league run.

The Cobblers may have their work cut out to claim three more points in Friday's away clash, having won just two of their 16 road trips in League One this season (D6, L8).

The visitors will at least be looking to produce an improved attacking display after failing to score more than one goal in any of their previous 13 away league matches.

Mansfield Town League One form:

W

W

L

L

L

L

Mansfield Town form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

L

Northampton Town League One form:

D

W

L

D

L

W

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Deji Oshilaja, Frazer Blake-Tracy and Rhys Oates due to injury.

Louis Reed is a doubt after missing the defeat to Shrewsbury, while it remains to be seen whether Matthew Craig will be fit to feature in the matchday squad.

Jordan Rhodes and Caylan Vickers should be involved in some capacity after recently arriving on loan from Blackpool and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively.

As for the visitors, they signed Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Perry and Burnley forward Dara Costelloe on loan on transfer deadline day.

Nolan may decide to use the pair from the bench rather than throw straight into the starting lineup for Friday's away fixture.

Meanwhile, Aaron McGowan and TJ Eyoma will not be available for selection after picking up groin and hamstring issues in the win over Huddersfield.

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Bowery, Flint, Cargill; Akins, Lewis, Boateng,, Quinn, McLaughlin; Evans, Gregory

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Dyche, Willis, Baldwin; Fosu, Shaw, McGeehan, Taylor, Pinnock; Hoskins, Eaves

We say: Mansfield Town 2-1 Northampton Town

Written by

Ben Sully

Previews by email