MX23RW : Tuesday, August 9 04:37:22| >> :120:22088:22088:
[monks data]
Apr 15, 2022 at 3pm UK
Mansfield
2 - 3
Sutton
Goodliffe (78' og.), Longstaff (90+7')
Quinn (57')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Bugiel (9'), Ajiboye (49'), Bennett (80')

Preview: Mansfield Town vs. Sutton United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's League Two clash between Mansfield Town and Sutton United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Mansfield Town continue their promotion push on Friday with the Stags set to welcome playoff-chasing Sutton United to the One Call Stadium.

The hosts have lost just one of their last six matches, while Sutton have suffered only one defeat in their previous four league games.


Match preview

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough pictured on December 2, 2020© Reuters

Mansfield are firmly in the promotion race, with the fourth-placed side only three points adrift of the top-three ahead of Friday's encounter.

The Stags also hold the advantage of having a game in hand over Port Vale, who currently occupy the third and final automatic promotion place.

After losing 1-0 away to Forest Green Rovers, the Stags bounced back in style last weekend as they swept aside Scunthorpe United courtesy of a 4-0 victory.

Nigel Clough's side enjoyed a three-goal lead at the break, with Stephen McLaughlin and Ryan Stirk finding the net after an Anthony Grant own goal had opened the scoring.

Stephen Quinn grabbed a fourth goal within a minute of a restart to wrap up a comprehensive win, and with Mansfield holding the third-best home record in League Two this season, they will believe that they have the capabilities to clinch another victory on Friday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are dreaming of reaching the playoffs, and a place in the top seven remains a realistic ambition with just six matches remaining.

Sutton are currently two points adrift of seventh-placed Newport County, but Matt Gray's side do possess a game in hand over three of the four teams in the playoff spots.

After missing out on the EFL Trophy in dramatic circumstances, Sutton responded positively with a 1-0 win against Leyton Orient last Saturday.

Joe Kizzi's 20th-minute goal proved enough to guide the playoff hopefuls to all three points, while the result also extended Sutton's unbeaten home run to 17 matches in all competitions.

Their home form may be impeccable, but the same cannot be said of Sutton's away results, with just one of their last six away league matches resulting in a win.

Mansfield Town League Two form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Sutton United League Two form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Sutton United form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W



Team News

Sutton United manager Matt Gray as Aldershot's assistant coach in December 2014  © Reuters

McLaughlin could miss out for Mansfield after being forced off against Scunthorpe due to a hamstring problem, while the hosts also have doubts over the availability of Rhys Oates and Jamie Murphy.

The Stags are also unable to call upon the services of Ollie Clarke and Kellan Gordon, with the pair still recovering from their injury problems, although Clough is hoping to welcome the duo back before the end of the season.

George Lapslie will also miss out as he serves the second game of his three-match suspension.

As for the visitors, they could be without Ben Goodliffe and Will Randall after the pair missed last weekend's contest through injury.

Omar Bugiel, meanwhile, came off the bench to feature for over half-hour against Leyton Orient with the 27-year-old likely to be given a starting berth for Friday's encounter.

Gray is also expected to stick with Enzio Boldewijn on the left flank after the Dutchman returned to the starting lineup last Saturday.

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bishop; Hewitt, Rawson, O'Toole, Perch; Bowery, Longstaff, Stirk, Quinn, Maris; Bowery, Akins

Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Kizzi, Rowe, John, Milsom; Ajiboye, Beautyman, Eastmond, Boldewijn; Bugiel, Oloafe


SM words green background

We say: Mansfield Town 2-1 Sutton United

Sutton may have won the reverse fixture, but Mansfield have proven to be a different beast altogether in home surroundings, and with the top three within reach, we think that the Stags will be too strong for the visitors on Friday.


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How you voted: Mansfield vs Sutton

Mansfield Town
66.7%
Draw
22.2%
Sutton United
11.1%
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