Barrow and Mansfield Town get their 2022-23 FA Cup campaign underway when they go head to head at the Holker Street Stadium on Saturday.
The home side head into the weekend on a run of three victories on the bounce, while the Stags will be looking to end their three-game winless run.
Match preview
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Barrow continue to strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the League Two standings as they picked up a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Colchester United on Tuesday.
Twenty-eight-year-old striker Billy Waters turned in a performance of the highest quality as he scored a hat-trick inside the first 46 minutes before former West Ham United man Freddie Sears grabbed a 91st-minute consolation.
Barrow have now won three consecutive league matches, scoring seven goals and conceding once in that time, while they have picked up four wins and one draw since a 2-1 loss at Rochdale on October 15.
The Bluebirds have now picked up 10 wins, one draw and lost six of their 17 league matches this season to collect 31 points and sit fourth in the League Two table, one-point off third-placed Northampton Town in the final automatic promotion spot.
Manager Pete Wild will hope that his side can carry on this fine form into the FA Cup where they will be looking to surpass last season's third-round exit after they were beaten 5-4 by Barnsley at Oakwell Ground on January 8.
Meanwhile, Mansfield Town failed to arrest their slump in League Two as they suffered a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Swindon Town when the sides squared off at Field Mill last Saturday.
The Stags have now lost two of their last three matches — scoring four goals and conceding eight — with a goalless draw against Newport County on October 25 being the only exception.
Nigel Clough's men, who have one game in hand, are currently ninth in the League Two standings with 27 points from 16 games, but could potentially rise as high as fifth place with all three points this weekend.
Like Saturday's hosts, Mansfield Town were also dumped out of last season's FA Cup in the third round when they fell to a 3-2 home loss against Championship side Middlesbrough on January 8.
Team News
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Barrow will be without 31-year-old forward Richie Bennett, who is yet to feature this season after picking up a severe injury back in April.
Solomon Nwabuokei has missed the last seven matches after coming off injured early in October, while Northern Irishman Sam McClelland also continued his spell on the sidelines.
Josh Gordon missed the victory over Colchester United last time out but the forward, who has nine league goals under his belt, could come into the fold to lead the attack once again.
He should be joined in the final third by Ben Whitfield, who has 12 goal involvements in the League Two, and Waters, who netted a hat-trick last Tuesday.
As far as Mansfield Town are concerned, Hiram Boateng will play no part in Saturday's game as the former Crystal Palace midfielder will serve a one-match suspension for picking up a red card last weekend.
In his absence, Ollie Clarke will push for a place in the starting XI, potentially lining up alongside George Maris and former Sheffield United man Stephen Quinn in the centre of the park.
On the injury front, Clough will be unable to call upon Rhys Oates, who has been out of action since August when he came off injured in the league clash against AFC Wimbledon.
Barrow possible starting lineup:
Pym; O'Toole, Hawkins, Hewitt; Gordon, Maris, Clarke, Quinn, McLaughlin; Lapslie, Swan
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Farman; Warren, Ray, Canavan, Kenlock; White, Foley; Whitfield, Waters, Kay; Moyo
We say: Barrow 3-1 Mansfield Town
While Mansfield Town will be looking to arrest their slump and kick off their cup campaign on a high, they face a Barrow side who have hit their stride in recent weeks. The hosts have won four of their last five matches and we are backing them to come out victorious once again.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
