Mansfield to make use of Grimsby rust

MANSFIELD Town put a beating on Cambridge United in their last match, and they represent good value to walk away from Grimsby with a win on Saturday.

Playing only their second game since November at the Abbey Stadium during the week, Mansfield hit five goals to take all three points back up north with them. That 5-1 win followed up a 5-0 win in the FA Trophy away at Worksop, and the Stags climb to become playoff challengers may show that they have finally adapted to life outside of the football league. Despite having on-going issues with their ground, which now appear to have been finally resolved, Mansfield lay in 6^th place in the Conference table.

Mansfield’s away form during the season has not, however, been all that fantastic. Despite a recent win at Kettering and a creditable draw at Wrexham, the Stags have suffered away defeats at Fleetwood, Newport, Luton, Rushden and Forest Green – however, only the latter two sides are not in the playoff places, and Rushden were playoff finalists last season.

As for Grimsby, their indifferent run of form has made it something of a bumpy journey down into non-league football. Their last home match was a 1-1 draw against Barrow, and a 3-0 win at Hayes and Yeading represents the side’s only success in their last seven league games. It has been a run with a host of draws – against Forest Green, Southport, Eastbourne and Cambridge – while Grimsby also lost to Kidderminster 3-2 away from home.

Of more of a concern for the home fans, however, should be that fact that Grimsby have not played a league game since November 20^th. Anyone who saw Liverpool in midweek must be acutely aware of the rust that may potentially affect the players – and Mansfield’s midweek success at Cambridge will have blown away any potential cobwebs for the visitors.

Neither side has any major injury concerns heading into the match, but Mansfield’s fresh legs, coupled with their good form and Grimsby’s own indifferent performances of late in the league, makes the 13/8 about Mansfield draw-no-net look too big.

SUGGESTION;

Mansfield DNB (13/8 @ Skybet)