On the final matchday of the League Two season, Mansfield Town will welcome Forest Green Rovers to the One Call Stadium, and the home side could still finish outside the top seven in the playoffs or they still could clinch automatic promotion.
The visitors, meanwhile, have already secured promotion, but the second-placed side still have the chance to win the League Two title.
Match preview
© Reuters
It is set to be a dramatic and nervy final day of the season for Mansfield with still so much to play for when they play host to Forest Green.
The Stags currently sit in fifth place, and with one point separating them from the top three, a win on Saturday could see them earn automatic promotion if results elsewhere go in their favour.
However, they are still not guaranteed a playoff place as seventh-placed Sutton United sit just three points adrift, with not much to choose between the sides on goal difference.
Mansfield enter Saturday's contest in high spirits after collecting seven points from their last three matches, while they also hold the joint second-best home record in the league, which offers cause for optimism.
Impressively, the Stags have won 14 of their last 15 home league matches, and a win on Saturday would represent a third consecutive home victory in League Two.
© Reuters
As for Forest Green, they dropped down from top spot last weekend for the first time since September after losing 3-1 to Harrogate Town.
Jamille Matt equalised from the spot against Harrogate to cancel out Jack Muldoon's penalty, ensuring that the two sides were level at the break, but second-half strikes from Jack Diamond and Lloyd Kerry condemned Forest Green to consecutive defeats.
That loss allowed Exeter to move into pole position ahead of the final matchday of the League Two season, although Rovers could still end the campaign as champions.
A draw would be enough to clinch the title if Exeter lose to Port Vale, whereas if the Grecians pick up a point then Forest Green must beat Mansfield to finish in top spot.
With Rovers ideally looking for all three points, they will be concerned by their recent away form which has seen them win just one of their last nine away games.
- W
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Mansfield have no new injury concerns ahead of Saturday's contest, although Stephen Quinn remains a doubt after missing the last two matches.
Oli Hawkins came into the backline to partner John-Joe O'Toole in the centre of defence, and Hawkins may retain his place in the backline, with Nigel Clough set to name an unchanged starting lineup.
Rhys Oates will feature in the frontline, and he will be one of his side's main goal threats as he looks to add to the nine goals that he has scored in the league this season.
Forest Green also have no new injury issues, with Matty Stevens the only known absentee for the visitors.
Jordan Moore-Taylor was forced off after 19 minutes against Harrogate, but the defender is expected to be fit enough to start on Saturday.
Matt took his tally to 19 league goals last weekend, and he will be looking to hit 20 when he partners Josh March in the frontline.
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bishop; Perch, Hawkins, O'Toole, McLaughlin; Lapslie, Maris, Murphy, Longstaff; Oates, Akins
Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; Godwin-Malife, Taylor-Moore, Cargill; Wilson, Hendry, Aitchison, Adams, Cadden; March, Matt
We say: Mansfield Town 3-2 Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green have nothing to lose with promotion already guaranteed, but we think that they may fall short in their quest for the title as Mansfield usually fare well on home turf, while the Stags will have that extra motivation to win with so much still to play for.
No Data Analysis info
