Both Burton and Mansfield may be hoping for better seasons than their respective 2024/25 campaigns as they prepare to face off in League One once again on Saturday afternoon. Both teams only narrowly avoided relegation to League Two, and will want to climb higher up the table this time around.
Burton finished in 20th place, only just above the dreaded drop zone, while Mansfield only finished three places higher in 17th spot. Nonetheless, this should be an interesting clash with what could already be a crucial three points at stake in terms of the wider context of the season.
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Key stats
- Burton won three of their previous four pre-season friendlies in preparation for this game.
- Burton only scored four goals across their five pre-season friendlies.
- Mansfield did not win any of their last three pre-season friendlies before this match.
Correct score prediction: Burton 1-1 Mansfield
We feel like both teams are fairly evenly matches, based off of last season's results. Thus, we could see this one ending up in another draw, with both sides on the scoresheet.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Burton just fancied by bookmakers
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Burton are slight favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points. A Mansfield victory is rated just below them, with a draw at just under 30%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Goals galore expected?
Both teams have managed to get themselves on the scoresheet in the previous six H2Hs, which suggests that we can expect plenty more goalmouth action on Saturday. The last two meetings have ended in draws dating back to last season, which is a pattern that we could see repeat itself here.
The previous H2H was in March, where it finished 1-1. Burton were the home team in that one, and in the reverse fixture, it was a much more entertaining stalemate as it finished 3-3.
England League 1 01/03/25
Burton Albion
Mansfield
England League 1 17/08/24
Mansfield
Burton Albion
England EFL Trophy 21/11/23
Burton Albion
Mansfield
England EFL Trophy 12/11/19
Burton Albion
Mansfield
England League 2 10/01/15
Burton Albion
Mansfield
Burton preview: No fresh concerns
Burton have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to report heading into this clash. Thus, the hosts are likely to name their strongest possible starting XI to kick off the new season in style.
Predicted lineup: Amissah (GK); Moon, Godwin-Malife, Sibbick, Vancooten; Chauke, McKiernan, Williams; Webster, Beesley & Tavares
England League 1 03/05/25
L
Charlton
3
Burton Albion
1
England League 1 29/04/25
D
Wigan
1
Burton Albion
1
England League 1 26/04/25
W
Cambridge Utd
1
Burton Albion
2
England League 1 21/04/25
L
Birmingham
2
Burton Albion
1
England League 1 18/04/25
D
Exeter
0
Burton Albion
0
Mansfield preview: Also no worries in squad
Like their opponents, Mansfield have no new injury worries or suspensions in their squad. The visitors can therefore field their strongest possible XI, with all key players available.
Predicted lineup: Mason (GK); Bowery, Blake-Tracy, Cargill; Hewitt, Maris, Lewis, Gardner, Baccus; Evans & Dwyer
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Exeter
0
Mansfield
3
England League 1 30/04/25
W
Peterborough
2
Mansfield
4
England League 1 27/04/25
L
Birmingham
4
Mansfield
0
England League 1 21/04/25
L
Reading
5
Mansfield
1
England League 1 18/04/25
D
Rotherham
3
Mansfield
3
Player to watch: Will Evans
Will Evans caused Burton a number of problems with his runs towards goal for Mansfield in the last H2H in March, and he also scored in the reverse fixture earlier in the 2024/25 campaign. Evans found the net a total of 13 times in League One, and will be aiming to increase his tally as a personal goal for the new season, starting with Mansfield's visit to Burton.