If the Salford City are to enter the final matchday with their playoff hopes still alive then only a win will do against Mansfield Town on Monday.

The Stags, on the other hand, currently occupy sixth position, and though they are not yet guaranteed a playoff spot, they could still clinch automatic promotion.

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Salford enter Monday's contest in 10th place, with five points separating Gary Bowyer's side from the playoff places.

The equation is fairly simple for the Ammies if they beat Mansfield then they will still be in the playoff hunt on the final day of the season, but anything less than a win would crush Salford's aspirations of a top-seven finish.

They also have the chance to clinch consecutive victories on Monday after the Ammies edged out Oldham Athletic in their last outing.

Matt Smith put Salford ahead in the eighth minute against the Latics before Davis Keillor-Dunn restored parity from the spot, but Brandon Thomas-Asante grabbed what proved to be the winner in first-half stoppage time to guide his side to a 2-1 victory.

With another win required on Monday, the hosts will look to take inspiration from the fact that they have won five of their last eight home matches.

Mansfield, meanwhile, have so much to play for in their remaining two matches with a playoff place not yet secured, while they could still finish in the top three.

The Stags currently sit two points adrift of Northampton and Bristol Rovers, who are third and fourth place respectively, while Mansfield are also level on points with fellow promotion hopefuls Port Vale, but Monday's visitors sit in sixth position due to a poorer goal difference compared to the Valiants.

Not only would a win on Monday secure the Stags a playoff place, but it could also lift them into the top three if Port Vale fail to beat Salford.

Nigel Clough's side enter the final two matches full of confidence after collecting back-to-back victories, including a 2-0 win over Stevenage in their last outing, with George Lapslie and Matty Longstaff netting on that occasion.

After playing consecutive matches at home, Mansfield will not be too keen to head on their travels after winning just one of their previous four away games.

Team News

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Ash Eastham, Josh Morris and Conor McAleny have all returned to training in the last couple of weeks, and the trio could be in line to return to the matchday squad.

Bowyer is expected to keep changes to a minimum, although Donald Love could replace Matty Lund in midfield.

Thomas-Asante and Smith have scored 18 league goals between them this season, and they are expected to feature in a front three alongside Ash Hunter.

As for Mansfield, Ollie Clarke is set to return to training in the near future, but he is not fit enough to feature in Monday's contest.

The visitors could also be without the services of Stephen Quinn, who is a doubt due to a hip problem.

After beating Stevenage 2-0, Mansfield could name an unchanged lineup for Monday's contest, which would result in a third consecutive start for Rhys Oates, who is set to partner Lucas Akins in the forward line.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Lowe, Vassell, Turnbull, Touray; Watson, Love, Kelly; Thomas-Asante, Hunter, Smith

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bishop; Hewitt, Perch, O'Toole, McLaughlin; Longstaff, Maris, Lapslie, Murphy; Oates, Akins

We say: Salford City 2-1 Mansfield Town

In some ways, Salford have nothing to lose on Monday, and they will go all out to get the victory against Mansfield on Monday.

The hosts have fared well on home turf in recent weeks, and we think that they will edge out a Mansfield side that tend to be inconsistent on their travels.

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