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[monks data]
Nov 8, 2022 at 7.45pm UK at One Call Stadium
Mansfield
1 - 2
Bradford
Swan (69')
Quinn (78'), Lapslie (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Smallwood (30'), Cook (53')
Platt (5'), Banks (81'), Smallwood (90+5')

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

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League Two clash between Mansfield Town and Bradford City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Mansfield Town will be looking to propel themselves into the League Two playoff places with a victory against fellow promotion hunters Bradford City on Tuesday night.

Both teams head into the game on 27 points from 16 games, looking to close the gap on the top three.


Match preview

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough pictured on December 2, 2020© Reuters

Mansfield saw a 10-game unbeaten home run come to an end ruthlessly against Swindon Town, when the Robins twice came from behind on their way to a comprehensive 5-2 victory.

The result means that Town are now three league games without a win, but they did enjoy a trip north to Barrow in the FA Cup on Saturday when Oliver Hawkins's scrappy effort in the first half helped them to progress to the next round.

There has not been any hangover from the defeat they suffered at the hands of Port Vale in the playoff final back in May, with Mansfield being one of the league's top scorers at this stage of the season - only Northampton Town and Leyton Orient have scored more.

They have conceded the most goals amongst teams in the top half, though, with only Crawley Town conceding more at home than Nigel Clough's men.

However, Mansfield have kept five clean sheets this season, with the five goals they conceded against Swindon creating a false sense of defensive frailty among the backline.

Mark Hughes in charge of Southampton on August 18, 2018© Reuters

Mark Hughes's Bradford are right in contention after years of making up the numbers in the fourth tier.

Lately, though, things have not been going their way, with just two wins in seven games in the league, and the Bantams are out of the FA Cup after defeat to Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Town at the weekend.

Matty Daly's calm finish inside the opening 10 minutes was enough to win the game for the visitors.

Bradford have drawn their last three games, but have been exceptionally good away from home, with only Grimsby Town, Salford City and Orient winning more on their travels than Hughes's side.

The last away win came at Salford in October, which was one of two away clean sheets this season.

With the race playoffs being typically tight, either of these two teams could create a three-point gap to the other with victory, which could prove vital towards the end of the season.

Mansfield Town League Two form:


Mansfield Town form (all competitions):


Bradford City League Two form:


Bradford City form (all competitions):



Team News

Mark Hughes in charge of Southampton on September 17, 2018© Reuters

Mansfield have Hiram Boateng back in contention after he served his one-game suspension for his red card against Swindon, so he could force his way back into the starting lineup.

Jordan Bowery could partner Lucas Akins up front, and there is a decision to make in defence with James Perch back after he was suspended for the last league game.

Andy Cook missed the FA Cup defeat at the weekend, but he should be back to take his place from Lee Angol.

That could be the only change they make, with Jamie Walker, Liam Ridehalgh and Emmanuel Osadebe still out injured, with the latter still recovering from surgery in July.

Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Perch, Hawkins, Hewitt; Gordon, Maris, Boateng, Quinn, Bowery; Lapslie, Akins

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Foulds; Smallwood, Gilliead; Pereira, Chapman, Wright; Cook


SM words green background

We say: Mansfield Town 1-1 Bradford City

It is a six-pointer between two teams gunning for promotion this season. We expect a cagey affair with neither team wanting to risk too much in search of three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Mansfield vs Bradford

Mansfield Town
41.7%
Draw
25.0%
Bradford City
33.3%
12
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Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens in November 2019
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Saturday's League Two predictions including Leyton Orient vs. Northampton
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leyton Orient19143230121845
2Stevenage19124326161040
3Northampton TownNorthampton19115334201438
4BarrowBarrow1911172719834
5Bradford CityBradford199642617933
6Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1988330201032
7Swindon TownSwindon198742419531
8Mansfield TownMansfield199372726130
9Salford City198472018228
10Doncaster RoversDoncaster198472325-228
11Walsall197662317627
12Tranmere RoversTranmere197571916326
13AFC Wimbledon197572424026
14Stockport CountyStockport197482422225
15Crewe AlexandraCrewe186751720-325
16Grimsby Town186662018224
17Sutton UnitedSutton196491725-822
18Newport CountyNewport1954101822-419
19Crawley TownCrawley194692030-1018
20Harrogate TownHarrogate1944112029-916
21Rochdale1943121325-1215
22Colchester UnitedColchester1935111726-914
23Gillingham19289621-1514
24Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool1926111634-1812

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