Notts County vs Mansfield Match Preview, Predictions & Free Bets
Dan Tracey After earning promotion to League Two, Notts County are now setting the early pace.
Through The Leagues
Although Notts Country are setting the pace, several teams are in the early promotion mix, and Mansfield are certainly one of them.
Could Be Anyone
With Notts County currently sitting at the top of the League Two table, it suggests one of two things. Either the quality within the division is not all that strong, or Nottingham’s second team are not to be messed with.
When you consider this is a team that only earned promotion to League Two via the National League playoffs, for them to be on the highest rung of their new league ladder is perhaps a testament to the latter of those two opening statements.
Then again, even though Notts County only earned promotion via the National League playoffs, both they and eventual champions Wrexham were a class apart in the class of 2022/23 and the Magpies would have been just as worthy champions.
A status that they will look to secure at the end of another frenetic season. To be champions at any EFL level you have to be successful in a war of attrition and Notts County’s next skirmish takes place this Saturday lunchtime.
While their Meadow Lane doors will be open to opponents Mansfield. A side who are one of a cluster of teams who have not only promotion hopes come the end of the campaign but also desires to lift silverware at the same time.
Before the weekend’s warriors take to the field of play, Mansfield finds themselves lying fifth in the table and they have the longest unbeaten streak in the division – a streak that currently sees them undefeated for 2023/24.
As impressive as that may sound, a slight caveat is attached to this unbeaten run. 12 matches without defeat, eight of those have ended in stalemate. It is fair to say that Nigel Clough’s men are solid rather than spectacular.
Especially when you look at their defensive record to date. The Stags have only conceded nine goals in their opening 12 matches, this equates to just 0.75 goals against on average – the kind of metric that can see you operating at a higher level this time next year.
Now, Notts County will look to bring them down a level and hand Mansfield their first reverse of the season. Luke Williams’ men were held by Barrow in their last outing; they will be keen to right that wrong in just a few hours.
But now it is time for the first of my two tips, and with Mansfield having drawn eight of their first 12 matches, it is difficult to look past such a statistic. Therefore, I am backing a draw and both teams to score at odds of 3/1.
In addition to this, Notts County have conceded 21 goals this season in just 12 matches. I reckon they will be ahead at the interval, but then Mansfield will find parity after the break. This scenario of half time home win and full time draw is priced at a tempting 12/1.
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