Mansfield Town will be looking to return to the top of the League Two standings when they play host to Accrington Stanley at the One Call Stadium on Monday.
Having failed to win any of their last three outings, the Owd Reds will head into the game looking to stop the rot and resume their quest for a top-half finish.
Match preview
© Reuters
Mansfield Town were left empty-handed in Friday's clash against fellow title-chasers Wrexham as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Red Dragons at the Racecourse Ground.
English striker Paul Mullin continued his sensational season in front of goal as he found the back of the net in both halves to inspire the home side to a comfortable victory and keep their title dreams alive.
Mansfield Town have now dropped points in three of their last four matches, losing twice and claiming one draw — with a 5-1 thrashing of Bradford City on March 16 being the exception.
With 73 points from 40 matches, the Stags are currently second in the League Two standings, level on points with third-placed Wrexham and one point shy of league leaders Stockport County, who have one game in hand.
Nigel Clough's men now return to the One Call Stadium, where they have picked up the sixth-most points in the division (37) and are unbeaten in six of their seven matches, claiming four wins and two draws since January 6.
Over in Lancashire, Accrington Stanley continue to struggle for results on home turf as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Morecambe at the Wham Stadium on Friday.
Following a goalless first half, quick-fire goals from Nelson Khumbeni and Christopher Stokes put the visitors in a commanding lead before substitute Lewis Shipley pulled one back in the 89th minute.
Accrington have now failed to win each of their last four home matches, losing three and picking up one draw since beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 on February 13 thanks to second-half goals from Jack Nolan and Benjamin Woods.
With Friday's result, John Doolan's men have now failed to win eight of their most recent nine outings, losing six and claiming two draws while conceding 19 goals and scoring eight since the second week of February.
This poor run of results has seen the Owd Reds plunge into the bottom half of the League Two standings as they currently occupy 18th place, level on 50 points with 17th-placed Tranmere Rovers.
However, Accrington will be backing themselves to find their feet on Monday as they take on a Mansfield Town side against whom they are unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 meetings, claiming seven wins and three draws since December 2013.
Team News
© Reuters
Mansfield Town will have to cope without the services of Welsh defender Elliott Hewitt, who suffered a game-ending injury inside the opening eight minutes against Wrexham on Friday.
In his absence, Stephen McLaughlin should come into the fold, forming the back four with Jordan Bowery, 23-year-old Lewis Brunt and club captain Aden Flint.
Other names on the Stags' injury table include George Williams, Callum Johnson and Scottish defender Calum MacDonald, who has been sidelined since coming off injured in January's game against Morecambe.
Meanwhile, Accrington Stanley will take to the pitch without Australian defender Jay Rich-Baghuelou, who has missed the last 10 matches since coming off injured against MK Dons in February.
Experienced midfielder Matt Lowe will also play no part in Monday's game as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a severe injury back in December.
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; McLaughlin, Flint, Brunt, Bowery; Clarke, Maris, Lewis; Keillor-Dunn, Swan, Akins
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Vitek; Mellor, Hills, Gubbins, Shipley; Martin, Leigh; Nolan, Pritchard, Whalley; Bickerstaff
We say: Mansfield Town 2-1 Accrington Stanley
While Mansfield Town has suffered a drop-off in form of late, they will be backing themselves against a floundering Accrington side who have managed just one win in their last nine outings. That said, we are backing Clough's men to come away with all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
