Seeking to pick up a third consecutive away win in League Two, Northampton Town go head to head with Mansfield Town in a mouth-watering Boxing Day matchup.
The Cobblers will take a trip to Field Mill seeking to get one over the hosts, having lost each of the last two meetings between the sides since October 2021.
Match preview
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Mansfield Town continue to struggle for results away from home as they played out an uneventful goalless draw with Stevenage when the sides squared off two Saturdays ago.
Off the back of a 2-1 home victory over Colchester United on December 12, Nigel Clough's men were guilty of a lack of cutting-edge at the attacking end of their pitch as they failed to threaten Boro before settling for a share of the spoils.
Mansfield Town have now failed to win any of their last four away games across all competitions, picking up one draw and losing three, including a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton Under-21 on November 30 which saw their EFL Trophy campaign come to an end.
With 34 points from 21 games, the Stags are currently fifth in the League Two table, level on points with sixth-placed Barrow, albeit with one game in hand over most of their league rivals.
Mansfield Town will fancy their chances of returning to winning as they now take on a Northampton Town side against whom they are unbeaten in 11 of the last 14 meetings between the teams, claiming five draws and six wins.
Clough's side are also on a run of three consecutive victories against the visitors, including consecutive wins in their two-legged promotion playoff semi-finals clash last season.
Northampton Town, on the other hand, maintained their fine league form as they fought back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Carlisle United at the Sixfields Stadium last Tuesday.
Following a drab first half, Jack Armer broke the deadlock five minutes into the second period to put the Blues ahead before quick-fire goals from Sam Sherring and Louis Appere turned the game on its head.
Jon Brady's men head into Monday unbeaten in each of their last eight league matches, picking up four wins and four draws since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City on October 8.
However, Northampton Town suffered a disappointing first-round exit from the FA Cup as they were beaten 1-0 by Chesterfield on November 5 courtesy of a first-half strike from Albanian winger Armando Dobra.
The Cobblers have picked up 12 wins, six draws and lost three of their 21 matches in the League Two to collect 42 points and sit third in the standings, nine points off first-placed Leyton Orient.
Northampton Town's fine 2022-23 campaign has been owing to their solid displays away from home, where they boast the league's second-best record with 21 points from a possible 30.
Team News
Mansfield Town will have to cope with the absence of 26-year-old defender Lewis Page, who has missed the last four matches after picking up an injury against Harrogate Town on November 19.
Will Swan was an unused sub against Stevenage last time out and the 22-year-old, who is the hosts' leading goalscorer in the league this season with seven strikes, should return to the fold on Monday.
As for Northampton Town, they will take to the pitch without Ali Koiki, who is set to sit out his eighth consecutive game after coming off injured against Stevenage on October 22.
Shaun McWilliams is also a doubt for the trip to Field Mill after the English midfielder was forced off injured against Carlisle United last Tuesday
With his strike in the aforementioned game, Sherring now has two goals in his last three games and we expect the 22-year-old to retain his starting role at the heart of the defence, teaming up with centre-back partner and club captain Jon Guthrie.
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Harbottle, Hawkins, Hewitt, McLaughlin; Maris, Akins, Clarke, Lapslie; Oates, Quinn
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Odimayo; Fox, Sowerby, McWilliams; Pinnock, Bowie, Hoskins
We say: Mansfield Town 1-2 Northampton Town
Mansfield Town and Northampton Town have enjoyed a solid first half of the season and both sit in the upper echelons of the table. While the hosts will be looking to extend their recent dominance in this fixture, the Cobblers have put together a fine run of form away from home.
With that said, we anticipate a close contest on Monday with Northampton Town claiming a slender victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
