Tranmere Rovers welcome Mansfield Town to Prenton Park on Saturday afternoon with the hosts looking to hoist themselves into those all important automatic promotion places.

Keith Hill's side currently occupy fourth position in League Two and with only ten games remaining, it is very much all systems go to ensure an immediate return to League One

As for Nigel Clough and his Mansfield side, the Stags are without a win in their last four games, eleven points above the relegation places.

Tranmere remain without top-scorer James Vaughan as he continues to be sidelined with a knee injury.

Rovers could name an un-changed lineup to the one that started against Colchester United in midweek, with experienced forward David Nugent expected to lead the line once again.

For Mansfield, midfielder Oli Sarkic will miss out with a hamstring strain with long-term absentee Joe Riley still recovering from a serious knee injury he sustained back in August of last year.

George Lapslie will be assessed in the days leading up to the game as Clough's side look to steer clear of any lingering relegation woes.

  • Predicted lineups

Tranmere Rovers:

Davies; Ridehalgh, Monthe, Clarke, Khan; Spearing, Lewis; Crawford, Kirby, Feeney; Nugent.

Mansfield Town:

Stone; ​​​​​​Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning; Charsley, Maris, McLaughlin; Reid, Bowery, Law.

  • Ones to watch

Jay Spearing - Tranmere Rovers

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With undoubted quality at League Two level, Jay Spearing has been an instrumental piece in Keith Hill's side aiming to return to League One at the first time of asking. A superb hard tackling midfielder general, Spearing provides experience and know how in governing games from the centre of midfield. Deployed as anchor, most things Rovers instigate start with the ex-Liverpool youngster and he will no doubt play a pivotal role in Tranmere's bid to turn this campaign into a successful one. 

Jordan Bowery - Mansfield Town​​​​​​​

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After a disappointing start to the campaign that saw Town depart with ex-Manager Graham Coughlan. Nigel Clough has steadied the ship and owes thanks to the strong performances of Striker Jordan Bowery. The 29-year-old has netted 10 goals as well as providing seven assists this season and his superb know-how in front of goal is something Tranmere's backline will have to be wary of throughout Saturday’s proceedings. 

  • Previous meetings

The reverse fixture this season was played out on the opening day of the season - finishing goalless.

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It is the Stags who hold the better record of the two, standing undefeated against the Whites since 2013.

This game kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday 27 March 2021. 

The match is available on iFollow via both respective club websites, with match passes priced at £10 for those wishing to tune in from the United Kingdom.

 

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