Mansfield vs Northampton Prediction: Stags’ winless run could be extended

Mansfield are looking to halt their slide down the League 1 table when they host Northampton in Friday's EFL match at the One Call Stadium (19:45 kick-off).

The Stags were in the play-off positions earlier in the season but four consecutive league defeats have seen them fall to 14th in the standings. Northampton have had some mixed results under new manager Kevin Nolan but will head to Nottinghamshire with their confidence boosted after a 3-2 home win over Huddersfield on Saturday.

Read on for my Mansfield vs Northampton prediction.

Football Odds

Team News

The Stags have signed veteran striker Jordan Rhodes on loan from Blackpool as well as bringing in young forward Caylan Vickers on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season.

Deji Oshilaja and Louis Reed missed Saturday's defeat by Shrewsbury due to injuries and may sit this one out as well.

Aaron McGowan and TJ Eyoma became the latest Northampton defenders to pick up injuries in Saturday's win over Huddersfield and both are expected to miss out.

The Cobblers brought in forward Dara Costelloe on loan from Burnley on deadline day and he could feature. Ben Fox has joined League 2 Harrogate after falling down the midfield pecking order.

Mansfield vs Northampton Odds

Mansfield are 8/11 favourites at home, with Northampton on offer at 18/5 and the draw priced at 11/4.

Over 2.5 goals is priced at 10/11, with the same odds for under 2.5, and it's also 10/11 that both teams score in the match.

Draw @ 11/4

Mansfield began the season on the crest of a wave following their promotion from League 2 and were fourth in the table after the first 12 matches.

However, the tide has turned for Nigel Clough's team in recent weeks and five successive losses, four of them in the league, have seen them drop into the bottom half of the table.

With 37 points from 27 games, they are now just seven points ahead of Northampton, who arrive in 20th place.

The Stags' last three losses have been to three of the four teams below the Cobblers in the table, with away defeats at Cambridge (3-2) and Shrewsbury (2-1) coming either side of a 1-0 home loss to Crawley.

The result against the Shrews was particularly disappointing as the Stags were 1-0 up when the home side were reduced to 10 men after just 34 minutes, but they went on to concede twice despite that numerical advantage.

Mansfield have won only five of their 13 home games despite their fast start and don't appeal at odds-on prices in their current form.

Northampton have strengthened their midfield under new manager Kevin Nolan, with transfer-window recruits Liam Shaw and Terry Taylor providing hope that the club can stay clear of the relegation zone.

The Cobblers have lost three of Nolan's eight games in charge, but have won at Burton and drawn at promotion-chasing Wycombe in recent away matches.

The victory over the Brewers was only Northampton's second away win of the season but they have avoided defeat in half of their 16 road games, recording six draws, and another one-point pick-up looks possible.

Cameron McGeehan anytime goalscorer @ 5/1

Cameron McGeehan is Northampton's top scorer this season with seven league goals and looks overpriced to score at any time in the match at 5/1.

The midfielder has been able to play in a more advanced role since the arrival of Shaw and Taylor during the transfer window and has a knack of arriving in the box at opportune moments to tuck away chances.

McGeehan scored the valuable equaliser in Northampton's 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury and should be adding to his tally again before long.

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