Preview: Notts County vs. Mansfield Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Notts County take on Mansfield Town at Meadow Lane on Saturday afternoon, in the latest round of League Two fixtures.

After the opening 12 games, the hosts are top of the table, while the visitors are also faring well, currently sitting in fifth place.

Match preview

© Reuters

Notts County have adapted to life in the EFL very well, as highlighted by the fact they are top of the pile in League Two, three points clear of fourth-placed AFC Wimbledon, meaning they are on course for automatic promotion.

Of course, it is still early days, with just over a quarter of the season played, but the Magpies have looked very impressive, particularly on home soil, having won all five of their opening five home matches.

Despite playing two fewer games than a lot of other sides, Luke Williams's men have the best home record in the division, while they also have the joint-second best attacking record, having scored 27 goals up to this point.

As such, Williams will be delighted with the start his side have made, but they are now without a win in their last two matches in all competitions, having suffered a 2-1 defeat against Derby County last time out.

Although Notts County are unlikely to be too concerned about the EFL Trophy, they will be a little disappointed to be bottom of Group 7 after two games, having lost both of their matches.

Mansfield were also in EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night, but unlike the Magpies they were able to come out on top, defeating Doncaster Rovers 3-2 at the One Call Stadium, courtesy of a brace from James Gale and a late Callum Johnson effort.

The Stags have fared very well in all competitions so far this season, as displayed by the fact they are unbeaten in 16 matches, although they have made a habit of drawing on too many occasions.

Nigel Clough's side have drawn their last three League Two matches, with the two most recent games finishing 0-0, although they faced tough opposition in fourth-placed Wimbledon and seventh-placed Wrexham.

Clough is likely to be pleased with how solid his side have looked defensively this season, having shipped just nine goals, the lowest amount of any side in the fourth tier.

As things stand, Mansfield are fifth in the table, two points off the automatic promotion places, so they could move into the top three if they are able to pick up their first away win since the start of September on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

© Reuters

Notts County will be without forward Cedwyn Scott, who has been ruled out for the foreseeable future with a knee injury, while Geraldo Bajrami is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with a similar issue.

Jodi Jones played no part against Derby due to an injury sustained against Barrow, meaning the winger could miss out again, although it is not thought to be a serious issue.

Mansfield are without a goal in their last two League Two matches, but Gale bagged a brace in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, meaning the 21-year-old could come in ahead of Will Swan at striker.

Ollie Clarke had to have five stitches in his ankle after receiving a strong challenge against Wimbledon last weekend, meaning the midfielder is a doubt for this Saturday's game.

Notts County possible starting lineup:

Stone; Brindley, Baldwin, Cameron; Adebayo-Rowling, Palmer, Bostock, Jones; Crowley, McGoldrick, Langstaff

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Bowery, Flint, Brunt, Cargill; Lewis, Reed, Maris, Keillor-Dunn; Swan, Akins

We say: Notts County 1-1 Mansfield Town

Notts County have won every single home match they have played so far this season, but Mansfield Town remain undefeated in all competitions.

Given that the Stags also have a very good defensive record, we do not expect Saturday's game to be a high-scoring affair, and it could end up finishing as a draw.

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