It’s set to be another fascinating weekend of action in Sky Bet League Two. Sporting Life’s Tom Carnduff previews the upcoming action.
Monday night saw two of the promotion hopefuls play out an entertaining draw at the One Call Stadium when Mansfield and Lincoln finished 1-1.
John Akinde’s second-half penalty earned the Imps a point, which extended Lincoln’s unbeaten run to a huge total of 13 games.
This week sees them travel to a Crawley side who are struggling for consistency. They were heavily beaten 6-1 by Crewe last time out so they will be looking to bounce back in the best possible fashion.
Up next for Crewe is third-placed Mansfield. Alexandra sit comfortably in mid-table, although there is always a possibility for a late push for the top-seven.
In the Stags, they face a side who have lost just one of their last five. Their home form is excellent too, the draw to Lincoln bringing to an end a five-game winning run in front of their own supporters.
In between Lincoln and Mansfield is Bury, who find themselves with a game in-hand over their two main promotion rivals this season.
Ryan Lowe’s side have seen excellent away form recently. Six of their last seven on the road have ended in victory, the other being a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.
Grimsby may have only picked up a point in their last two home games, but the run of three consecutive victories prior to that will give them some confidence.
For MK Dons, they’ll be hoping that one of the sides above them slip-up when they welcome Yeovil, who are battling to avoid the drop.
The Glovers sit three points above the drop zone and go into this one with the aim of halting that three-game losing streak.
Prior to that, they did secure consecutive wins over Morecambe and Cambridge, showing that they can pick up points.
The in-form team in the division is Tranmere. Micky Mellon’s side have won their last five games, alongside enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in total.
In Colchester, they take on a side who have seen 3-0 scorelines in their last four. Unfortunately for them, they’ve only been on the right side of that once.
They do sit in the top-eight for results at home though, setting this up to be a game that can go either way.
One team hoping that Colchester can grab the win is Forest Green, who are looking to close the three-point gap to fifth.
It won’t be easy in their next fixture though. Rovers travel to take on a Port Vale side who are enjoying a four-game run without defeat, two of which have ended with all three points.
Exeter match Forest Green’s points tally but sit below them on goal difference. It’s an interesting tie against Notts County for them next.
County, despite being favourites at the start of the season, have struggled for results and find themselves battling relegation.
Neal Ardley’s side have been picking up points though with just one of their last three ending in defeat.
Given the fairly similar form of both sides heading into this one, it’s a fixture that is difficult to call.
Another team who are looking to avoid relegation is Macclesfield. Sol Campbell’s side earned their first win in eight games last time out as they beat Yeovil.
Town are also three points away from safety and will be looking to build on recent success with home advantage over Stevenage.
The opposition are still in the mix for a spot in the play-offs though. They’ve also picked up points in four of their last five away games.
For Carlisle, a successful game against Cambridge could see them move into the top-seven. United have struggled for consistency at home but did recently enjoy a run of five consecutive wins.
Cambridge did beat Grimsby in their last away game, building on that with two draws, which means it won’t be an easy task for the promotion chasers.
Elsewhere, Northampton will be hoping that they can close the six-point gap to seventh with victory over Cheltenham.
Fantastic recent form has thrown them into contention. Keith Curle’s side are now unbeaten in eight games, five of which have been wins.
A point behind the Cobblers is Swindon, who welcome Morecambe on Saturday. The Shrimps have picked up seven points from their last possible nine, which sees them now sit nine points above the drop zone.
For Swindon, victory can move them to within four points of the play-offs, and given the fact they haven’t lost in their last four home league games, they’ll be hopeful of doing just that.