Match Preview: Mansfield Town vs Barnsley
Date: Saturday 15 March 2025
Kick-Off: 3:00 PM GMT
Venue: One Call Stadium
Competition: Sky Bet League One
Reds Aim for Fresh Start Under Hourihane at Struggling Stags
After a turbulent week that saw Darrell Clarke depart Oakwell, Barnsley travel to Mansfield Town this Saturday, looking to reignite their stuttering League One playoff push under interim boss Conor Hourihane.
It is a clash of contrasting fortunes—Mansfield have gone 14 games without a win, while the Reds will be desperate to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
The Story So Far
Barnsley’s playoff ambitions have taken a serious dent after back-to-back losses against Charlton and Blackpool. That 3-0 hammering at Oakwell last weekend spelled the end for Clarke, with Hourihane stepping in to steady the ship. His first challenge is getting the Reds firing again and bridging the eight-point gap to the top six.
For Mansfield, things have gone from bad to worse. Nigel Clough’s men looked solid in mid-season but have picked up just four points from their last 13 games, tumbling down to 18th place. They were beaten 2-0 at Exeter on Tuesday, adding to the growing fears of a late relegation scrap.
Recent Form
| Mansfield Town | L D D D L | 1.12 | 18th |
| Barnsley | L W W W L | 1.72 | 10th |
Team News
Mansfield Town
- Christy Pym (rib) and George Maris (Achilles) are doubts.
- Stephen McLaughlin and Keanu Baccus are being assessed after picking up knocks.
- Matthew Craig is back training but may not be fully match-fit.
Barnsley
- Maël de Gevigney is back from suspension and available for selection.
- Adam Phillips could return after missing last weekend’s game with a knock.
- Josh Earl remains a doubt.
Key Battles
Keillor-Dunn vs. Mansfield’s Defence
Barnsley’s top scorer comes up against his former club, and Mansfield fans know exactly what he is capable of. If given space, he could cause serious problems for the Stags' backline.
Hourihane’s Tactical Impact
It is difficult to predict what style Barnsley will use under their new interim manager, but Hourihane has promised a team that plays with intensity, aggression, and high pressing—a potential issue for a Mansfield side that has struggled against teams pressing high.
Prediction Data
| Barnsley to Win | 45% |
| Draw | 28% |
| Mansfield to Win | 27% |
Final Verdict
Barnsley enter this match as narrow favourites, but they will need to show immediate signs of improvement under Hourihane. The new manager bounce could be key in getting the Reds back on track.
For Mansfield, this is a must-win game—another defeat could drag them dangerously close to a relegation fight. Expect a physical battle, but Barnsley’s extra quality in attack should be enough to get the job done.
Predicted Score: Mansfield Town 1-2 Barnsley