The Mariners are back on the road for a Boxing Day trip to Nottinghamshire to face fourth placed Mansfield Town.

Following Saturday’s defeat Artell’s side will be looking to bounce back but are faced by a Mansfield side who have lost just once this season. This game is the third meeting between the two teams this season, the second in the Sky Bet League Two.

Team News

Charles Vernam continues to make his recovery but remains side-lined and won’t feature at Mansfield. Jamie Andrews and Rekeil Pyke both returned to the matchday squad against Harrogate last Saturday with the latter joining the action in the second half.

Donovan Wilson could return to the squad, should he be considered ready to feature after being out for the previous two weeks.

Both Otis Khan and Danny Rose are set to return to familiar surrounds with both having featured for Mansfield together between 2018 and 2020.

Mansfield Town

Monday’s hosts have been one of the most consistent performers maintaining an unbeaten run at home so far this season under Nigel Clough winning eleven times, drawing nine and losing just once against Swindon last month.

The Stags have already defeated the Mariners this season when goals from Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates eliminated Town from the Carabao Cup at the One call Stadium.

The previous league meeting between the sides ended 1-1 with neither side being separated, Abo Eisa’s rocket in the sixth minute was cancelled out by Rhys Oates’s strike before the hour mark.

All three of the last league meetings between the sides have ended level, last season a 0-0 draw in Mansfield was followed by a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park.

Mansfield currently sit fourth in the table, one point behind the automatic promotion places with a game in hand on both Wrexham and Barrow who sit directly above them.

Midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn is the club’s top scorer so far this season with twelve strikes, followed by Lucas Akins with eight both George Maris and Rhys Oates have five apiece.

Form

The Stags come into the game unbeaten in their last two, winning 3-1 on Saturday against fellow play-off chasers Crawley Town thanks to goals from Bailey Cargill, Davis Keillor-Dunn and George Maris. The previous result was a 2-2 draw against Tranmere.

Before last month’s defeat at Swindon Clough’s side went on a winning streak of five games in the league, despite two cup defeats in that period the Stags have been in impressive league form.

The Mariners have lost just once in the last seven league games, a first defeat since David Artell arrived.

Despite the defeat Town remain unbeaten in three on the road, drawing with MK Dons, Newport County and Forest Green.

Coverage

UK and overseas supporters will be able to watch Saturday’s match against Mansfield Town on Mariners TV with match passes available for £10 – they are available HERE.

UTM