Mansfield Town
- Mansfield have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches.
- At home in League One 2026-2027, Mansfield are unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws.
- Nigel Clough's side are solidly placed in ninth with 18 points from 11 games, while the visitors, who've won two, drawn one and lost two in the same period, sit in 19th with just 11 points.
- Mansfield's Jonathan Russell leads the league's scoring charts for League One 2026-2027 with two goals in three games, but Michael Smith has been on fire for the Stags lately, scoring three of their six goals in the last five fixtures.
Notts County
- Notts County have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games.
- The Magpies, who will bring 11 points from 11 games to the One Call Stadium, are in better form with a recent 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, a 2-0 defeat to Wycombe and a 1-1 draw with Stockport County.
- Martin Paterson, who has overseen a higher-tempo, progressive 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 system with more width, creative players and proactive pressing since taking over as head coach on 22 June 2025, has added some pragmatism to his gameplan since the season started.
Head-to-Head
- While this is a true Nottinghamshire derby and there will be no shortage of passion on the pitch, this is a matchup of contrasting styles that looks to be a chess match more than a typical local clash.
- Clough has been Mansfield boss since 6 November 2020 and he's an organised and shape-first sort of coach whose team are a lot more pragmatic and measured in their approach.
- They play a compact 3-4-1-2 / 4-2-3-1, counter-press, get the ball forward quickly from controlled possession and press high only when they win it back early - they're not a sustained, high-pressing side.
Key Players
- Mansfield's Jonathan Russell leads the league's scoring charts for League One 2026-2027 with two goals in three games, but Michael Smith has been on fire for the Stags lately, scoring three of their six goals in the last five fixtures.
- The Magpies' Oliver Cooper is the main threat in the league, with three goals in seven games, and they've conceded eight goals away from home in the league (1.60 on average), so a goalfest looks unlikely.
Betting Insights
- Mansfield are a strong bet at 1.91, with Notts County at 3.75 and the draw at 3.6.
- Our preferred bet is 'Mansfield win & under 3.5 goals' as we feel this match will be played in a way that suits the hosts.
- Mansfield have been getting the job done at home in League One 2026-2027 with a controlled approach that has seen them score an average of two goals per game and concede one.
Prediction
- Notts County will push the game forward and try to get on top early with their width and higher-tempo passing, but Mansfield are a well-drilled unit and will remain calm and focused in the face of an aggressive home crowd.
- The Magpies' wide threat could make this tight in the opening stages, but Mansfield's home form and organisation give them the edge.
- If Notts County get their wide game going early, the derby could remain close, but the balance of form, tactics and home advantage points towards a Mansfield victory with limited goals.
