Manfield Town will be looking to move themselves into the League Two playoff spots with a victory over fellow promotion hunters Bradford City on Tuesday, with both teams heading into the contest on 27 points from 16 matches.
Nigel Clough’s side saw their 10-game unbeaten home run come to an end against Swindon Town, when the Robins came from behind twice on their way to a 5-2 victory.
Mansfield are now three league matches without a win, but they did enjoy a trip to north to Barrow in the FA Cup on Saturday when Oliver Hawkins’ goal in the first half helped them to progress to the next round.
They are one of the league’s top scorers at this stage of the season, though they have conceded the most goals amongst teams in the top half, with Crawley Town conceding more at home than them.
However, Clough’s side have kept five clean sheets this season, with the five goals they conceded against Swindon creating a false sense of defensive weakness among the backline.
Bradford City are right in contention after years of making up the numbers in the fourth tier, though things have not been going their way lately – with just two wins in seven league matches – and they are out of the FA Cup after defea to Harrogate Town at the weekend.
Mar Hughes’ side have drawn their last three matches, but have been exceptionally good away from home, with only Grimsby Town, Salford City and Leyton Orient winning more on their travels than Bradford. The last away win came at Salford in October, one of two away clean sheets this season.
With the playoffs race being typically tight, either of these two sides could create a three-point gap to the other with victory, which could prove crucial towards the end of the season.
Mansfield Town vs Bradford City head to head
These two teams have previously met on eight occasions in League Two, where Mansfield have claimed three victories while Bradford have won four, and they have drawn once. They have each scored 10 goals in the process. In their last five meetings, Mansfield have won two while Bradford have won three.
Mansfield Town 3-0 Bradford City 25/01/20
Mansfield Town 1-3 Bradford City 17/10/20
Bradford City 1-0 Mansfield Town 02/03/21
Mansfield Town 2-3 Bradford City 21/08/21
Bradford City 0-2 Mansfield Town 26/02/22
Mansfield Town latest home form
Mansfield Town were beaten 5-2 by Swindon Town in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their previous eight games. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded nine.
Mansfield Town 2-2 Hartlepool United 30/09/22
Mansfield Town (P)1-1 Derby County 04/10/22
Mansfield Town 2-1 Walsall 15/10/22
Mansfield Town 0-0 Newport County 25/10/22
Mansfield Town 2-5 Swindon Town 29/10/22
Mansfield Town latest away form
Mansfield Town have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their four most recent matches. They defeated Barrow 1-0 in their last away game in the FA Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and also conceded six.
Grimsby Town 2-0 Mansfield Town 20/09/22
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Mansfield Town 24/09/22
Barrow 0-1 Mansfield Town 08/10/22
Crawley Town 3-2 Mansfield Town 22/10/22
Barrow 0-1 Mansfield Town 05/11/22
Bradford City latest home form
Bradford City have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having been winless in their six most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Harrogate Town in their last home game in the FA Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded six.
Bradford City 2-2(P) Leicester City U21 04/10/22
Bradford City 0-1 Stockport County 08/10/22
Bradford City 1-1 Swindon Town 25/10/22
Bradford City 1-1 Crawley Town 29/10/22
Bradford City 0-1 Harrogate Town 05/11/22
Bradford City latest away form
Bradford City have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their six most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Grimsby Town in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.
Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Bradford City 13/09/22
Harrogate Town 1-2 Bradford City 01/10/22
Salford City 0-1 Bradford City 15/10/22
Burton Albion 4-0 Bradford City 18/10/22
Grimsby Town 0-0 Bradford City 22/10/22
Mansfield Towns news
Mansfield have Hiram Boateng back in contention after he served his one-game suspension for his red card against Swindon, so he could get a spot in the starting lineup.
Jordan Bowery could partner Lucas Akins up front, while James Perch is back after he was suspended for the last league match.
Bradford City news
Andy Cook was absent from the FA Cup defeat at the weekend, but he should be back to take his spot from Lee Angol in this game.
That could be the only change Bradford make, with Jamie Walker, Emmanuel Osadebe and Liam Ridehalgh still out injured, with Osadebe still recovering from surgery in July.
Prediction and Odds
It is a six-pointer between two sides hunting for promotion this season, and we expect a cagey affair with neither team wanting to risk too much in search of three points.
There is not much to separate these two teams on paper in this fixture, and we see them sharing the points.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Mansfield Town 0-0 Bradford City
Mansfield Town 1-1 Bradford City
Mansfield Town 2-2 Bradford City
Mansfield Town 0-1 Bradford City
Mansfield Town 1-2 Bradford City
