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

Basement side Cambridge United will look to end a seven-game winless league run when they welcome Mansfield Town to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, who occupy 11th place in League One, will attempt to return to winning ways after losing their last two competitive matches.

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Match preview

Cambridge are lying at the foot of the League One table after winning four, drawing six and losing 15 of their 25 matches in the third tier this season.

Garry Monk's side have gone seven league games without a win since recording a 4-1 victory over relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town on December 7.

After going on to draw 2-2 with Wrexham, Cambridge lost six consecutive league games before they had to settle for a point from their midweek away meeting with Bolton Wanderers despite leading for the majority of the contest.

Josh Stokes and Elias Kachunga grabbed a goal apiece to give the U's a 2-1 lead, but Zeno Ibsen Rossi's 90th-minute own goal ultimately denied them a precious victory, leaving them eight points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's clash with Mansfield.

The hosts are looking to beat Mansfield at the Abbey Stadium for the first time since April 2015, having failed to win any of their last six home meetings (D3, L3).

Mansfield are set to head on their travels after experiencing a couple of disappointing results at the One Call Stadium.

The Stags fell to a 2-0 defeat in their FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan Athletic, before they were edged out in last Saturday's league meeting with promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers.

Lucas Akins netted a 68th-minute equaliser to cancel out Richard Kone's opener, only for Gareth McCleary to score a late winner to condemn Mansfield to their fourth home league defeat of the season.

As the Stags turn their focus to Saturday's fixture, they may be able to draw inspiration from the fact that they have won two of their last three away matches.

They also have the chance to complete a league double over Cambridge after clinching a 2-1 victory in September's reverse fixture.

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Team News

Monk has confirmed that Cambridge midfielder Korey Smith will be out for 'six to 10 weeks' with a knee injury that he sustained in training.

Jubril Okedina will sit out a third consecutive game due to an ankle problem, although he is on the verge of returning to competitive action.

Paul Digby and James Gibbons will be available for selection following their respective injury issues, while Michael Morrison will come back into the fold after serving a one-match ban.

As for the visitors, they remain without the injured Rhys Oates, while Lee Gregory will have to be assessed after he picked up a knee issue.

Frazer Blake-Tracy and Keanu Baccus are hoping to prove their fitness in time to play a role in Saturday's away trip.

Goalkeeper Christy Pym will replace Scott Flinders after recovering from illness, while there could also be starting spots for Stephen McLaughlin, Matthew Craig and Akins.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup: Marosi; Ibsen Rossi, Morrison, Andrew; Bennett, Cousins, Barton, Brophy; Kachunga, Stokes; Loft

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup: Pym; Bowery, Oshilaja, Cargill; Hewitt, Craig, Boateng, Reed, McLaughlin; Akins, Evans

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We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Mansfield Town

Mansfield have won two of their last three away games, and we think that they will enjoy more success on the road when they face a Cambridge side that will be bereft of confidence after losing five of their last six league matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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