Rotherham United, destined for a mid-table finish in League One, are set to take on relegation-battling Mansfield Town at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The hosts are 13th in the standings and on track for a midtable finish, while the visitors are 18th and just five points above the drop zone.
Match preview
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Rotherham United have bounced between League One and the Championship over the past 12 seasons, earning promotion from the third tier in 2013-14, 2017-18, 2019-20 and 2021-22, while suffering relegation from the second division in 2016-17, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2023-24.
While they have been able to instantly earn promotion back to the Championship in each of their three recent demotions to League One, the Millers have miserably failed to achieve that this term.
Rotherham are currently placed 13th in the League One standings with 54 points from 42 outings, after 15 wins, nine draws and 18 defeats, leaving them 15 points behind the top six and 12 above the drop zone.
Former manager Steve Evans was eventually sacked due to their disappointing campaign, with Matthew Hamshaw taking charge on an interim basis, and the caretaker boss has established himself as a potential candidate for the permanent position by securing three wins and one loss in his four games.
While the Millers are on course for a mid-table finish, leaving little left to play for, Hamshaw will be hoping for a strong end to the season to better his chances of being appointed the next permanent boss.
Rotherham will be favourites to secure the victory, given their opponents, Mansfield, are coming into the clash having lost all of their last three games, while they are firmly in the battle for survival.
Mansfield booked their promotion to the third division as they finished third in League Two last season, and a promising start to the season saw the Stags in the race for a playoff place in League One.
Nigel Clough's side were fourth in the table after eight matches and 10th on matchday 23, but a horrendous run of just two wins in the next 18 league matches has seen them rapidly drop down the table.
The Stags suffered 12 defeats in that time, causing them to slide down the standings and into 18th place with 47 points from 41 games, leaving them just five above the drop zone.
Clough's side do have a game in hand on several of the teams around them, and the manager will be hoping they can capitalise on that advantage as they aim to survive in the third tier.
Team News
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Sam Nombe is Rotherham's top scorer with 11 goals in 39 league appearances, and with two in his last four matches, the striker should partner Mallik Wilks in attack.
Louie Sibley is likely to keep his place just behind the forward line having impressed since joining in January, while a midfield partnership of Joe Powell and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is anticipated.
Mansfield are heading into Friday's clash with Rotherham having suffered three consecutive defeats, a run that may mean Clough decides to make several changes to his team.
Top scorer Will Evans, with 12 in 39 league appearances, has failed to score in his last 10 matches, and the striker will be aiming to end that streak on Friday, likely to partner Caylan Vickers in attack.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Dawson; Rafferty, Odofin, Humphreys; Holmes, Mpanzu, Powell, James; Sibley; Wilks, Nombe
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Pym; Bowery, Oshilaja, Cargill; Akins, Lewis, Reed, Craig, McLaughlin; Evans, Vickers
We say: Rotherham United 2-1 Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town have endured a miserable run of results in recent weeks, and given Rotherham's recent upturn in form, we believe the hosts will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
