Both Crewe Alexandra and Mansfield Town will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2023-24 League Two campaigns when they lock horns on the opening matchday on Saturday afternoon.
Crewe finished 13th in the fourth tier last season, while Mansfield were eighth, only missing out on a position in the playoffs on goal difference, and they will be aiming to challenge for the top seven once again this term.
Match preview
Crewe operated in League One in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, but they were relegated to the fourth tier courtesy of finishing 24th in 2021-22, and their first season back in League Two saw them claim 13th, boasting a record of 14 wins, 16 draws and 16 defeats.
Lee Bell's side found it difficult to show the type of consistency that is needed to be a playoff side last term, but they will be expecting to challenge higher up the division in the new season.
The Railwaymen have made five signings during the summer, bringing in Shilow Tracey, Ryan Cooney, Mickey Demetriou and Jack Powell, while Harvey Davies has joined on loan from Liverpool.
There have also been seven departures, including their leading goalscorer from last season Dan Agyei, so there will be a fresh look about the squad this term.
Crewe's home form this season is likely to be important when it comes to their chances of pushing for the playoffs, and they would send out a message with a win over a strong Mansfield side on the opening matchday of the new campaign.
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Mansfield, as mentioned, finished eighth in League Two last season, boasting a record of 21 wins, 12 draws and 13 defeats from their 46 matches, which brought them 75 points.
Nigel Clough's side were level on points with seventh-placed Salford City but missed out with a +17 goal difference, having conceded one goal more than the team above them, and they will be looking to use the disappointment of last season to inspire them in 2023-24.
Mansfield have been in League Two for the last 10 seasons, and they have never played in League One, so it would be some achievement to earn promotion to the third tier.
The Stags have only played four friendlies this summer but have been in strong form, putting three victories on the board, including a 4-2 success over Matlock Town last time out.
Mansfield have managed to make six signings this summer to boost their squad, meanwhile, with three players actually arriving from League One in the shape of George Williams, Calum MacDonald and Christy Pym.
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Team News
Crewe have been busy this summer in terms of friendlies, playing seven times in total, including a 2-1 loss to Barnsley last time out, with new signing Tracey on the scoresheet.
Agyei's departure is a big one considering that he scored 16 times last season, so there will be big pressure on the likes of Courtney Baker-Richardson, who netted nine goals in 2022-23, to step forward.
Chris Long missed the clash with Barnsley through injury and is a doubt for this match, but head coach Bell does not have any other fitness concerns, so a strong XI should take to the field.
Mansfield, meanwhile, should also have a number of debutants on display in this match, with Williams, Baily Cargill, Aaron Lewis and Pym all likely to start.
There should also be a position at centre-forward for Will Swan, who has joined the club on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season.
Swan scored 10 times in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign and is set to be joined in the final third of the field by the experienced Lucas Akins and Jordan Bowery.
Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Davies; Adebisi, O'Riordan, Demetriou, Williams; Powell, Offord, Tracey; Baker-Richardson, Tabiner, Evans
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Williams, Cargill, Johnson, Lewis; McLaughlin, Clarke, Reed; Bowery, Swan, Akins
We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Mansfield Town
This is a really difficult match to call, as there is not too much between the two sides in terms of quality. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw when they last locked horns in January, and we can see the same result occurring on Saturday, which both managers would likely take if it were offered ahead of kickoff.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
