Preview: Harrogate Town vs. Mansfield Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Just one point ahead of the relegation zone heading into the weekend's fixtures, Harrogate will be up against it on Saturday against a Mansfield side eyeing up promotion.

Match preview

Having been promoted to League Two in 2020, Harrogate have been able to establish themselves in the fourth tier in seasons past, but look to be heading into a relegation battle this time around.

Without a victory in their each of their last five league outings, Harrogate have slipped down the table and currently reside just above the drop zone.

Last victorious in the league over a month ago, the hosts will be targeting their first win since mid-October when they welcome Mansfield on Saturday.

Despite their shaky form this season, an imperious head-to-head record against Mansfield since promotion should inspire Harrogate heading into the weekend.

In their five matches against Mansfield, Harrogate are yet to suffer a defeat of any kind, winning four of those meetings since November 2020.

Harrogate are somewhat of a bogey team for Mansfield, with the Midlands outfit having only scored once in four matches against the Yorkshire side in the league.

However, recent form should see Mansfield heavily tipped as favourites, as their performances this season have seen them operating at the right end of the table once more.

Still searching for that elusive promotion to League One, Mansfield are in the middle of their 10th consecutive campaign in the fourth tier.

Sitting inside the top seven as things stand, Mansfield will be keen to back up last weekend's victory over Rochdale with another three points on Saturday.

Prior to that, the promotion hopefuls had gone four matches without a win in the league - a run that Mansfield boss Nigel Clough will want to avoid replicating.

Harrogate Town League Two form:

W

D

L

L

D

L

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

D

L

Mansfield Town League Two form:

W

L

D

L

L

W

Mansfield Town form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Mansfield tripled their opponents' shot count against Rochdale last weekend, with George Maris netting the only goal of the game.

Maris came off the bench against Rochdale, but it is that likely Ollie Clarke and Anthony Hartigan will remain in the starting XI.

Striker duo George Lapslie and Lucas Akins will lead the line for a Mansfield attack that has been short on goals this season.

Shaky at the back, Harrogate are without a clean sheet in the league since a goalless draw with Stockport County in mid-September.

Peter Jameson will be the man between the sticks tasked with keeping the Mansfield attack out and securing a clean sheet for the hosts.

With 18 appearances this season, but just two strikes to his name, Luke Armstrong will be hoping to contribute goals for Harrogate on Saturday.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Jameson; Ramsay, Burrell, Mattock, Headley; Falkingham, Pattison; Muldoon, Daly, Grant; Armstrong

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Hewitt, Perch, Hawkins, Wallace; Quinn, Clarke, Hartigan, Boateng; Akins, Lapslie

We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Mansfield Town

Two teams at opposite ends of the table, the league standings may rule in Mansfield's favour, yet the form book looks somewhat similar.

In need of a result, expect promotion-chasing Mansfield to take the game to Harrogate and leave Yorkshire with three points.

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