Burton Albion vs Mansfield Town preview: Team news, Stags fans match-day info, how to watch on TV, predicted XI

Nigel Clough will return to his old stomping ground this weekend with a trip to the Pirelli Stadium. The Stags boss has left an incredible legacy behind with the Brewers, after guiding them to Football League status and eventually the Championship for the first time during his time as their manager.

Gary Bowyer has lauded Clough’s ‘phenomenal’ achievements with Albion, which will forever be etched in their history.

Burton are a team no doubt still close to Clough’s heart, but Saturday will be about banking a big win for Mansfield Town and building on their solid performance against Huddersfield. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.

What time is kick-off?

Burton will welcome Stags to the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, 19 September, with kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm.

Away fan information for Mansfield Town supporters

Albion have published some match-day information for Mansfield Town fans on their website. The away section of the ground will open earlier than home areas, with away turnstiles opening at 11am and home turnstiles at 11.30am.

How to watch Burton Albion vs Mansfield Town on TV

For those who aren’t travelling for the match, you can watch the action on TV and live stream. The lunchtime clash will be shown on Sky Sports+, which can be accessed via channel 404 on Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, or streamed on the Sky Sports app.

Burton Albion vs Mansfield Town latest team news

Both Clough and Bowyer have provided fitness updates ahead of the weekend.

Mansfield Town could see the return of Stephen McLaughlin after he came off at half-time against Huddersfield but it depends how his current ankle problem fares this week.

“He’s okay, he’s been struggling with his ankle, he missed the last two previous games. He’s had an injection in it so we’re hoping he will be available for Saturday,” Clough said.

Tyler Roberts is ‘50/50’ after picking up a calf problem during training. If he is not fully fit, he will not be risked at this stage in the season.

George Abbott is still not match fit and is not expected back until after the international break, while Baily Cargill has been quoted an early October return.

Owen Dodgson will not be available while he serves his red card suspension from the Huddersfield match.

Burton will more than likely be without defender Finn Delap, who is dealing with a knee injury. Bowyer said Saturday ‘might be too soon’ for the 21-year-old in his pre-match press conference.

Mansfield Town vs Burton Albion H2H

Stags haven’t beaten Burton in their last four League One attempts. Last season, Mansfield lost 2-1 at the Pirelli in their opening match and then drew 0-0 at the One Call. Prior to that, the two sides played out a 3-3 draw early in the 2024/25 season, followed by a 1-1 draw later in the campaign.

Mansfield Town predicted XI

Providing McLaughlin’s ankle feels good enough to play, we can expect to see him back in the left wing-back position against Burton. Frazer Blake-Tracy is available to fill in if not, but he could be given the nod at centre-back after not featuring last week.

The same could be said for Regan Hendry, who did not make it off the bench against Huddersfield. Hendry has featured up front alongside Michael Smith in League One this season, while Clough determines his best striker combination. He could return the starting XI up front, having bagged a goal and two assists in all competitions so far this season.

Clough did not mention Jon Russell’s injury recovery this week but the midfielder has been called up to represent Jamaica during the international break. Still, we have erred on the side of caution and gone with George Maris alongside Liam Thompson in midfield.

Liam Roberts; Ryan Sweeney, Frazer Blake-Tracy, Deji Oshilaja, Louis Reed, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, George Maris, Liam Thompson, Stephen McLaughlin, Michael Smith, Regan Hendry.