Clough Vs Flynn could bring a stalemate
Nigel Clough’s Stags play host to promotion chasing Newport County in this Friday evening’s League Two action. Michael Flynn’s Exiles have arrested their slide to look favourites to seal a spot in the top seven for the second time in the last three seasons. Newport were early season high flyers before stuttering before the turn of the year, their unique and improving style of play is one of the most entertaining in the division and one that will trouble Mansfield Town’s struggling backline. Despite having an excellent underlying process it has been a campaign of small margins and individual errors, they have shown plenty of promise in building towards next season, though it feels safe to say Clough will be looking to rebuild heavily in terms of personnel.
Prediction
Despite Town sitting in 19th compared to the Exiles’ seventh they come into this match as favourites just above odds on, the Stags have tended to fare better against the higher ranked sides in the league table. One of the themes of the season in the English fourth tier, similar to that of the second tier has been a lack of goals, it is impossible to underestimate the part fans play in the climate of small margins that manifests in the English Football League. Nigel Clough has read the riot act a few times in recent weeks, it will be an interesting test of character to see how the squad responds. Maybe he is throwing a few curveballs in vetting his roster for next season.
Goals?
It is going to be an unders punt for me, using the Asian goal line for a bit of insurance.
- Mansfield have scored in four of 10.
- Mansfield have conceded in eight of 10.
- Mansfield have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- Mansfield have seen over 2.5 goals in two of 10.
- Newport have scored in seven of 10.
- Newport have conceded in six of 10.
- Newport have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- Newport have seen over 2.5 goals in four of 10.
The Exiles are more consistent but the unpredictable nature of the Stags makes this one interesting, they are more than capable of taking all three points.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Two goals in the last quarter of an hour take the gloss off of this a touch but we’ll take the half win. Onto the weekend.