Mansfield Town will be hoping to move into the playoffs on the final day of the League Two season when they travel to Essex to face Colchester United on Monday.

The U's, who are currently in 20th position, have little to play for, but they will be looking to finish the campaign with a positive result.

Match preview

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After enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run (W3, D5), Colchester's impressive run of form was ended by Doncaster Rovers last weekend.

A first-half strike from Tommy Rowe proved enough to condemn the U's to a narrow 1-0 defeat in South Yorkshire.

Although the U's have already made sure of their EFL status for another season, they could still drop down to 21st position, while 17th place represents their best possible finish.

Their recent home form will give them reason to be confident ahead of Monday's fixture, having avoided defeat in their previous four matches at the JobServe Community Stadium.

After thrashing Crewe Alexandra 4-0 and beating Sutton United 4-1 in their last two home matches, the U's have the opportunity to claim three consecutive home league wins for the first time since April/May 2021.

Mansfield, meanwhile, head into the final matchday in eighth position with an outside chance of securing a place in the League Two playoffs.

After enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run, Mansfield's playoff bid has been hampered by consecutive 2-1 defeats to Leyton Orient and Harrogate Town.

With three points separating them from Bradford City, Salford City and Carlisle United, Mansfield know that even a win may not be enough to finish in the top seven.

They will also need at least one of the three teams above them to lose and a favourable swing in goal difference to sneak into the playoffs on the final day of the season.

Nigel Clough's side head into Monday's contest off the back of a four-game unbeaten away run (W2, D2), and after beating Newport County in their most recent away trip, Mansfield will be aiming to claim consecutive victories on their travels.

Team News

Kieran O'Hara missed the defeat to Doncaster with a mild concussion, but the goalkeeper could return for Monday's contest.

Garner may opt for consistency for the final fixture of the 2022-23 season, and as a result, he could select the same starting XI for a third consecutive game.

Noah Chilvers has scored nine league goals this season, and he will be looking to reach double figures when he lines up against Mansfield.

As for the visitors, Elliot Hewitt is set to miss the majority of the 2023-24 campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last month.

Stephen McLaughlin and John-Joe O'Toole are expected to be unavailable for Monday's contest due to knee and foot problems respectively.

There are also doubts over the availability of Louis Reed and Ollie Clarke, who will both be assessed ahead of the trip to Essex.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Smith; Chambers, Kelleher, Hall; Greenidge, Ashley, Read, Tchamadeu; Chilvers; Akinde, Tovide

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Johnson, Harbottle, Kilgour, Perch; Boateng, Reed, Quinn; Oates, Keillor-Dunn, Akins

We say: Colchester United 1-3 Mansfield Town

Colchester are only playing for league position, while Mansfield are targeting a place in the League Two playoffs, and we think that the extra motivation could propel the Stags to all three points.

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