Peterborough come into this one with a bit of a wobble. That weekend defeat to Bradford, where David Okagbue saw red, has left a sour taste, and they'll be desperate to bounce back in front of their own fans at the Weston Homes Stadium. But the suspension of Okagbue, plus the injuries to Rio Adebisi, Sam Hughes, Matthew Garbett and Declan Frith, leaves Luke Williams' squad looking a little thin at the back. They'll be organised, sure, but there's a nervy edge to them — Nigel Clough even said they were 'a little bit nervy' at the end of last season, needing a point to stay up. That mentality can linger.

Mansfield, on the other hand, are buzzing. They've won their first two league games of the season and are looking for a third straight win. Yes, they lost 4-1 to Manchester City Under-21s in the EFL Trophy midweek, but that was a rotated side, a dead rubber, and Regan Hendry's late goal was a small positive. The real story is their league form: consecutive wins, confidence high, and this is their first away trip after three home fixtures. They'll be fresh, hungry, and not remotely intimidated by a trip to Peterborough. Clough's sides are always well-drilled, and this one smells of a team that knows exactly what it's doing.