Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in League One on Tuesday night, with Mansfield Town welcoming Lincoln City.
Mansfield are currently 15th in the League One table, boasting 38 points from their opening 30 matches of the campaign, while Lincoln are 13th, two points ahead of their opponents at Field Mill.
Match preview
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Mansfield earned promotion to League One courtesy of their third-place finish in League Two last season, but it has been a testing 2024-25 campaign for the club, with 38 points from 30 matches leaving them in 15th spot in the table.
The Stags are 10 points ahead of the relegation zone, though, and remaining in the division would have been their main goal at the start of the season, so by that measure, it has been a solid campaign to date.
Nigel Clough's side are currently in an extremely poor run of form, having been beaten in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, including six of their last seven in the third tier of English football.
Mansfield did manage to end that run with a 3-3 draw against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon, but they had been 3-1 ahead in Lancashire before conceding twice in the latter stages to share the spoils.
The Stags have picked up 18 points from their 14 home league matches during the 2024-25 campaign, and they will be welcoming a Lincoln outfit that have 18 points to show from their 16 games on their travels.
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Lincoln, meanwhile, suffered a 3-2 defeat to Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon, which made it just two points from their last four league matches during a disappointing run of form.
The Imps have a record of 10 wins, 10 draws and 11 defeats from their 30 league matches this season, with a total of 40 points leaving them in 13th spot in the table, 10 points off the playoff positions.
Lincoln finished seventh in League One last season, missing out on the playoffs by just two points, but it will take a huge effort for them to push close to the top six at this stage of the campaign.
Michael Skubala's team have picked up four points from their last three league games on their travels, though, and they are bidding to record a third straight success over Mansfield on Tuesday night.
Earlier this season, the Imps ran out 4-1 winners on home soil, while they recorded a 3-1 victory when the two teams last locked horns at the home of Mansfield in October 2020.
Team News
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Mansfield will once again have Will Evans in the final third of the field; the 27-year-old has been the team's outstanding performer this term, scoring 11 goals in all competitions, and he will operate in a front three.
Lucas Akins has been impressing of late in a wide midfield role, meanwhile, and the 35-year-old should again be in the side on Tuesday evening despite the relatively quick turnaround.
Mansfield have no fresh injury concerns following the clash with Blackpool, so it could be a case of same again from Clough, as the manager looks to build on what was a strong performance.
Lee Gregory and Rhys Oates, though, are long-term absentees for the home side.
As for Lincoln, James Collins came off the bench to score against Orient in the league on Saturday, and it seems likely that the number 25 will now be introduced into the starting XI.
The visitors should also find a spot for Ben House, who has five goals to his name this term, while Reeco Hackett is also likely to retain his spot in a forward position for this contest.
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Williams, Hewitt, Cargill; Akins, Baccus, Reed, McLaughlin; Evans, Maris, Vickers
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Jeacock; Jefferies, Montsma, O'Connor, Roughan; Makama, McGrandles, Clucas, Hackett; House, Collins
We say: Mansfield Town 1-1 Lincoln City
Two of the last three league meetings between these two sides have finished level, and we can see the points being shared on Tuesday night. Both managers would likely accept a point ahead of kickoff, and it could be a cagey affair at Field Mill.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
