An early season six-pointer sees the Stags take on Oldham Athletic at the One Call Stadium

A massive six-pointer takes place this weekend in Nottinghamshire as Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town welcome Keith Curle’s Oldham Athletic to NG18.

Both sides have had an atrocious start this season and they’ll be looking to move away from the relegation zone sooner rather than later.

The Stags currently sit 22nd in League Two, one place above the Latics, as the two sides are only separated by two points.

In addition to that, Mansfield added another player to their suspensions list after Ferrend Rawson earned a red card in their last league game against Barrow.

The defender pulled back Bluebirds’ forward Josh Gordon which denied him of a clear cut opportunity as Stags’ number six was sent off.

However, in the amber and blues’ Papa John’s Trophy encounter against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening, James Clarke proved why he is a worthy replacement.

Captaining the side for the fixture, the full-back, who can also play as a centre-back, put on a classy display that will definitely not go unnoticed.

Running up and down the touchline, making vital tackles and even switching the play with long balls forward. Clarke simply did it all, and whether he starts as a full-back or a centre-back, he deserves a chance in the starting 11 for the game against Oldham.

There were plenty of good performers against the Owls in midweek as the Stags were narrowly defeated after a Florian Kamberi winner in the dying embers of the game.

Youngster George Cooper, who picked up an injury and only last 45 minutes, looked assured alongside Rawson and helped Mansfield build from the back.

The midfield quartet of Harry Charsley, Jason Law, Keaton Ward and Stephen Quinn also made their stamps on the game providing crucial passes, tackles and constant running.

One thing that Nigel Clough may change for the game against the Latics is the formation. The 4-4-2 diamond has simply not been effective enough and a slight tweak may enable Mansfield to use their firepower up front, but also, see them defend well enough to keep a clean sheet.

With that being said, Oldham have only scored six times in the league season and have conceded 16 goals, one more strike than the Stags’ current tally of 15.

The club has been in total disarray on and off the field as financial problems alongside winding-up petitions have hampered Oldham a lot.

In their previous game against Harrogate Town, they managed to score but fell up just short of claiming a massive point against the Sulphurites.

Jack Diamond’s goal just before the half-hour mark gave the visitors the lead at Boundary Park as they looked to secure their fifth league win of the season.

Their lead was doubled in the 66th minute through Luke Armstrong as Harrogate were one step closer to a much-needed three points after two draws in the lead up to the encounter against Oldham.

10 minutes after Armstrong’s goal, Harry Vaughan got himself on the scoresheet, however, that would only be a consolation as the Latics fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Mansfield and Oldham have faced each other six times in League Two and most of the games have been high scoring ones, apart from the one 0-0 draw back in October 2018.

The Stags completed the double over the Latics last season beating them 3-2 at Boundary Park and 4-1 at the One Call Stadium.

Another high scoring game between the two sides is likely not to happen due to the poor goalscoring form they are in, but no one can discount it as anything could happen with Mansfield and Oldham looking to escape an early relegation fight.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt