Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 December 2022, 21:49
Mansfield Town host Grimsby Town at Field Mill this Saturday with strong hopes of maintaining their promotion challenge in League Two.

Nigel Clough's Mansfield come into the match buoyant following good performances in their last two fixtures - a last-minute victory against Colchester United, and a sturdy 0-0 away draw to title-challenging Stevenage. In the opposite dugout, Paul Hurst leads 14th-placed Grimsby having won just one in their last seven league games.

Match preview

Mansfield sit in fifth place in League Two after a fantastic start to the season, but their form has dropped along with the temperature in recent months, picking up just two wins in their last eight games.

In previewing the game at the weekend, Clough appeared heartened by his team's recent performances, seeing their last two matches as an indication of a turn in fortune for the Stags.

Indeed, Clough's side showed resilience in their defensive display against a rampant Stevenage team, who had won nine of their last 10 games on home soil. The possession was evenly shared between the two teams last weekend, with neither side showing much accuracy in their ball playing.

However, a conservative approach this weekend would be out of step for a side seeking promotion. Though Clough has been satisfied with his side's organisation and individual performances, his focus has seemed to be on preparing against teams more than looking to threaten his opposition.

Clough seemed wary at the prospect of facing some of Grimsby's individuals, citing John McAtee - a player Clough describes as being able to "create something out of nothing" - as well as the "pace" and "goal threat" of forward Otis Khan, who he worked with at Sheffield United in a previous stint at the Blades.

Grimsby manager Paul Hurst will perhaps see Clough's comments as recognition of his side's progress this season. Sitting in 14th place, the newly-promoted Mariners have impressed with both their league stability and eye-catching performances in the FA Cup - all a continuation of last season's success in the National League.

Hurst has made tactical adjustments in recent weeks - compelled by his side having one just won in their last seven league matches, a consequence of his side's consistent failure to maintain clean sheets.

Under pressure to find balance and consistency from a slew of injury absences, Hurst's switch to the 4-1-4-1 formation has given solidity in the middle of the park to combat many of the league's aggressive direct play.

Kieran Green has come under a lot of praise for his performance for the Mariners against Tranmere Rovers, the 25-year-old dominating in the air with a 81% success rate in the deep-laying anchor role.

Alongside Gavan Holohan and Harry Clifton's supporting energy, the talismanic McAtee will be further allowed to flourish as the roaming creative force in the side.

With Grimsby overcoming Mansfield in their last meeting in the EFL Cup with a 2-0 victory, Hurst will no doubt know that his side has a strong opportunity to get a positive result at Field Mill.

Mansfield Town League Two form:

L

L

W

L

W

D

Mansfield Town form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

W

D

Grimsby Town League Two form:

L

L

L

D

L

W

Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Defender John-Joe O'Toole is back in contention for Mansfield having served a suspension during the Stags' last fixture. Should Clough revert to a back three, O'Toole could feature in the right centre-back role this weekend.

Clough has raised some doubts about the fitness of left-forward Jordan Bowery, who has been suffering with illness this week. The manager did confirm for certain that left-back Lewis Page will remain out with an Achilles injury.

Grimsby will be aching for January to come with the New Year's gift of the mid-season transfer window to resolve ongoing injury problems at Blundell Park. Left-back Anthony Glennon remains out, with 22-year-old Danny Amos subsidising in his absence.

Hurst will be looking to strengthen his attacking options in January, with part of his switch to 4-1-4-1 motivated by a lack of attacking options to support McAtee upfront.

Twenty-five-year-old right-back Michee Efete may return for Grimsby, having received the all-clear from the doctors after a potential neck injury against Wimbledon two weeks ago. Efete has been a regular starter for Hurst, and will no doubt walk straight into the first team at the weekend if he is fully fit.

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Harbottle, Hawkins, Hewitt, McLaughlin; Maris, Akins, Clarke, Lapslie; Oates, Quinn

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Grocombe; Efete, Waterfall, Maher, Amos; Green; Kiernan, Holohan, Clifton, Khan; McAtee

We say: Mansfield Town 1-1 Grimsby Town

The caution that Mansfield have shown in recent performances indicates that this match will be another cagey affair for the Stags. Hurst will look for a positive performance for Grimsby, but the nature of the system the Mariners use may not facilitate a glut of attacking play.

Khan, McAtee and Kiernan will provide the goal threat for the visitors, whereas George Lapslie or Stephen Quinn may find some joy going forward for Mansfield.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Estrela Amadora return to action on Saturday when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to move back into the top six of the League One table, Huddersfield Town will welcome Charlton Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has opened up about living with Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable hereditary condition that affects the hands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town will welcome Hull City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday for a crucial game at the bottom end of the Championship table. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Martin Odegaard is everything for Arsenal - he's at the heartbeat of everything positive they do. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to go top of the Championship table with a fifth straight victory, Sheffield United will travel to take on Coventry City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to maintain their five-point advantage over Werder Bremen after hosting them on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in their 11th Bundesliga outing of the season. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says his lack of game time in the first-team left him 'in a dark place' last season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Promotion-chasing Barnsley are favourites heading into Saturday's gameweek 17 League One match at Oakwell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord and Heerenveen will both be looking to pick up where they left off right before the international break in Saturday's meeting at De Kuip in matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a £100m asking price for Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Real Madrid. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon