Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Mansfield Town and Blackpool, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
High-flying Mansfield Town welcome Steve Bruce‘s Blackpool to Field Mill for an intriguing League One clash on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams meet for the first time since January 2017 when the Stags secured a slender 1-0 victory in League Two.
Match preview
© Imago
Competing in League One for the first time in over two decades, Mansfield have made a notable impression in the third tier this season, picking up 13 points from a possible 15 available across their last five matches.
A 1-1 draw with fellow bright starters Stockport County at the end of August has since been followed by four successive victories against Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town and Crawley Town, beating the latter two teams by a 2-0 scoreline.
Goals either side of half time from Lee Gregory and Ben Waine helped the Stags edge past Crawley on Tuesday night, and Nigel Clough‘s side have risen to third in the League One table, level on points with second-placed Wrexham – who have played a game more – and five behind leaders Birmingham City.
Mansfield are now looking to win five consecutive third-tier matches for the first time since 1976, and they will fancy their chances of claiming a positive result on Saturday as they are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Blackpool (W3 D2).
The Tangerines also have reason to be optimistic of success this weekend, as their fortunes have drastically turned for the better since the arrival of new boss Steve Bruce last month.
The 63-year-old steered his new Blackpool side to four successive League One wins against Exeter City, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, but his 100% record came to an end on Tuesday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lincoln City on home soil.
Lincoln were reduced to 10 men shortly before Kyle Joseph put Blackpool in front, and the hosts were seemingly on course to collect another three points until Tom Hamer netted a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser for the Imps.
Blackpool have climbed from 21st to sixth in the League One table since Bruce’s appointment and they can move one point above Mansfield with a victory on Saturday.
However, the Tangerines have lost both of their last two visits to Field Mill, having previously suffered defeat in just one their first 14 away league matches against Mansfield between 1977 and 2000.
Mansfield Town League One form:
Mansfield Town form (all competitions):
Blackpool League One form:
Blackpool form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Mansfield are still having to cope without long-term absentees Alfie Kilgour and Rhys Oates, while Aden Flint and Frazer Blake-Tracy are also in the treatment room.
The Stags are sweating over the fitness of in-form striker Lee Gregory – who has scored six goals in eight league games – and key defender Baily Cargill, who are both doubts after limping off with issues in midweek.
Midfielder George Maris was not involved last time out due to illness and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to feature in some capacity on Saturday.
As for Blackpool, Dominic Ballard and Andy Lyons remain sidelined with respective shoulder and ACL injuries, while Oliver Norburn and Elkan Baggott are both facing several weeks on the sidelines with respective hamstring and ankle problems.
Hayden Coulson was forced off in midweek with a rib issue and will be assessed ahead of kickoff. Should the left-back miss out on Saturday, James Husband could be called upon to start having now returned to full training.
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Hewitt, Oshilaja, Bowery; Baccus, Lewis, Reed, McLaughlin; Boateng; Evans, Gregory
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Hamilton; Beesley, Joseph
We say: Mansfield Town 2-2 Blackpool
Both Mansfield and Blackpool are in high spirits and will back themselves to come away from Saturday’s contest with maximum points. An entertaining encounter should be on the cards, but with little to separate these two teams, the spoils may be shared on this occasion.
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