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

League One sides Harrogate Town and Mansfield Town will kickstart their EFL Trophy campaign on Tuesday, when they face off at Wetherby Road.

Having been drawn in Group H of the competition's Northern Section, both teams will also tackle Newcastle United Under-21s and League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday in subsequent matches.

Match preview

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Enjoying a stellar start to their League Two campaign, Harrogate Town are unbeaten in their opening four matches, winning three of them and notching up 10 points to occupy second place in the standings.

Under the tutelage of fan favourite Simon Weaver, Harrogate have enjoyed a great deal of success, earning promotion to the National League in 2018, before taking another step up to the English fourth tier in 2020.

Town, who finished up in 17th place on their return to League Two, are looking to establish themselves in the division in their second year, perhaps even challenging for promotion, after just celebrating triumph in the FA Trophy in May.

On the cusp of making history with a fourth successive victory as an EFL club, Weaver's men failed to write their name in the club's record books as their 100% winning start to the season was brought to a halt last time out, following a 1-1 draw against Exeter City.

Now desperate to return to winning ways, the North Yorkshire outfit, who have notched up eight goals in four matches so far, will be looking to edge Mansfield Town to get their EFL Trophy campaign off to a flyer.

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In their ninth consecutive season in League Two, Mansfield Town will feel they have overstayed their welcome in this division, and should have their sights set on gaining promotion.

With seven points from five matches to sit in seventh place in the standings, it is fair to say that the Stags' start to the league campaign has been decent, though there is still room for improvement, especially on the attacking front.

Mansfield's display away at Swindon Town on the last matchday left much to be desired, as they struggled with poor finishing and decision making in the final third, failing to hit the target despite firing 17 shots on goal.

Nigel Clough's men, who have lost their previous two league matches, will now take a breather from League Two action to focus on the EFL Trophy - a competition they were sent crashing out of in the group stages last term.

With the aim of performing better than they managed last time around, the Stags have to be more clinical against this Harrogate side, who completed the double over them in League Two last season.

Team News

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Having picked up a minor injury in training, Simon Power is a major doubt for this game as he is expected to continue recuperating in the recovery room.

Alex Pattison, who is topping the team's scoring chart with three goals, should retain his place in midfield alongside Lloyd Kerry and Josh Falkingham

Having grabbed his first goal of the season last time out, Jack Muldoon is in line for yet another start in the right-wing role.

Mansfield's Ryan Stirk remains injured and is out of contention for this fixture.

The prolific Oliver Hawkins had a rare bad day at the office against Swindon Town, and will be looking to get back on the scoresheet here.

Given his side only conceded a goal on the last matchday, Nigel Clough might stick to the backline he fielded in that game.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Oxley; Page, Hall, McArdle, Burrell; Kerry, Falkingham, Pattison; Muldoon, Armstrong, Thomson

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Bishop; Gordon, Rawson, Hewitt, McLaughlin; Maris; Clarke, Quinn; Lapslie; Hawkins, Johnson

We say: Harrogate Town 2-0 Mansfield Town

Ahead of this fixture, Harrogate Town are in much better form than Nigel Clough's men, having remained unbeaten in their four matches this term, as opposed to the visitors, who lost their previous two on the spin.

Also factor Town's home advantage in, and the hosts are huge favourites to secure a win to clinch maximum points come full time.

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