Sutton United travel to the One Call Stadium to face Mansfield Town knowing that a win will propel them right back into the playoff race, but a win for the hosts could see them leapfrog Salford City into 7th and with a game in hand.
The Stags have only won once in their last 5 outings but had won 3 on the bounce prior to this dip in form and will be hoping for a return to winning ways against their playoff rivals. Mansfield have not won in the league since the 3-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon on March 4th and have drawn a blank in front of goal in two of their last three games.
Sutton head north on a run of 5 wins and only 1 defeat on their last 10 league games and find themselves just 4 points off the playoffs in only their second season in the EFL. That defeat came in their last match against FA Cup Quarter Finalists Grimsby Town and they, like their opponents, have failed to score in two of the last three games.
Fans Viewpoint
I spoke to @amberblue1897, new Twitter space for Mansfield Town fans to interact. I asked them how they saw the game going, who the key individuals are likely to be and for a prediction.
We will play a back 5 probably. I think it’s going to be a tough physical battle; Sutton will play the long ball and try to get behind the back 5.
We like to play the ball on the floor and build up slowly. Most of our good work will come through Davis Keillor-Dunn. The key players would be Christy Pym who has started to come into form and Keillor-Dunn as every time he gets the ball he’s wanting to either pass it or shoot. He’s an exciting player to watch.
I don’t think it’s going to be a classic by a long shot, but I do think we will probably win it one nil with a Lucas Akins goal. I think Mansfield need a win tomorrow if they’re going to mount any sort of challenge to get back into the playoffs.
Players to Watch
Davis Keillor-Dunn (Mansfield Town)
Who am I to argue with the Mansfield Town fan! Since joining the club in January, Keillor-Dunn has 5 goal involvements in his 9 appearances and can be used in behind the striker or up top and if he can have the influence his manager will be hoping for in the remaining games then his side will give themselves a fighting chance of making the playoffs.
Craig Eastmond (Sutton United)
Sutton don’t score many goals, having netted only 40 times in their 37 games, and so keeping it tight is vital for them to pick up points. Eastmond was man of the match in his last game, has a FotMob rating of 7.44 wins the majority of his tackles and has 5 goal involvements in his 33 outings.
Head-to-Head
The clubs have only met three times in their history and Sutton currently hold a 100% record!
Saturday 27th August 2022 – Sutton United 2-1 Mansfield Town
Friday 15th April 2022 – Mansfield Town 2-3 Sutton United
Tuesday 23rd November 2021 – Sutton United 2-0 Mansfield Town
The Managers
Nigel Clough (Mansfield Town)
After a playing career that included clubs like Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, Clough moved into management at then Southern League side Burton Albion and guided the club to the brink of the football league before leaving for Derby County. A spell at Sheffield United followed before a return to Burton and promotion to the Championship, keeping the club I the second tier for two seasons before relegation and resignation during the Covid pandemic. He was appointed manager at the Stags in November 2020.
Matt Gray (Sutton United)
Gray has been in charge at the VBS Community Stadium since May 2019 and managed to guide the club to promotion to the EFL as champions of the National League. In his first managerial role, he has guided the club into the Football League, to an 8th place League Two finish Papa John’s Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. Making the playoffs and having a crack at getting into League One will continue the upward trajectory of the football club.
Speaking prior to this weekend’s fixture, Matt Gray said, “It’s a big game for both clubs, they all are at this stage of the season. Its not make or break on Saturday but a win for either side would be massive.” @suttonunited
