There's some massive games in Sky Bet League Two to keep you entertained on Boxing Day
Top sides clash at the One Call Stadium
Another win for Mansfield on Saturday saw them go within three points of the automatic promotion places and they will face another test of their promotion credientials when David Flitcroft’s side face off against fellow chasers Bury on Boxing Day.
Nicky Maynard scored his first league goals for Bury with a brace against Mansfield in the reverse meeting between the two sides in October and he has been in decent form since, with nine for the season. But he and Bury will have to be at their best to have any chance of overcoming an in-form Stags side.
Key clash at the bottom
Notts County are unbeaten in their last six league meetings with Macclesfield Town, but have only lost one of their eight visits to Notts County in the EFL. Both sides are desperate for the points to have any real chance of survival, making it arguably one of the biggest encounters on matchday 24 in the EFL.
Notts County’s Boxing Day record leaves a lot to be desired too – they haven’t won on the day after Christmas since 2002 but the Silkmen haven’t faired much better either, with just three wins from 14 on this day.
Tough test for the Dons
Cheltenham Town have only lost one game in their last five and face title chasing MK Dons at Whaddon Road.
The Dons were beaten at home for the first time this season by Colchester United on Saturday and will be desperate to put it right against the Robins. Their record is pretty good against Cheltenham too, having scored 11 goals on the three occasions they’ve faced them in the EFL.
But with Cheltenham having not lost at home since October, it will likely prove a stern test.
Carlisle look for three in a row
Carlisle United are looking for three wins in a row for the first time since August when they take on Oldham Athletic at Brunton Park. The Blues are only three points off the play-off spots having won back to back games.
Oldham meanwhile have enjoyed their recent trips to Carlisle, having only lost once on their last six visits there and a win for the Latics could move them above their opponents and in to the top ten in the table.
Exeter back in form
Having lost the previous two games on the bounce, Exeter City have responded well to win their last two Sky Bet League Two matches and find themselves back in the play-off places. But the Grecians are winless in their last seven games against Yeovil Town in all competitions, including a goalless draw on Boxing Day in 2016.
Around the grounds
There’s another exciting looking clash on Boxing Day when Newport County host Forest Green Rovers, who sit just one place above them in the league standings in 7th place. Padraig Amond has scored three goals in Newport’s three league games against Forest Green since the start of last season and will hope to continue his lucky streak, having bagged a brace at the weekend.
Lincoln City players will enjoy their Christmas dinner having secured top spot for Christmas and they’ll be keen to extend their gap at the top when they travel to struggling Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day.
Interestingly, Crewe and Lincoln share an identical record over their last 10 meetings at this level - with both scoring exactly 13 goals each in the meetings between the two sides.
Colchester United went within just two points of second placed MK Dons when they beat them on Saturday and they will be keen to keep the pressure on by securing consecutive victories with a win against Stevenage. They'll be hoping to improve a record that has seen them win just twice on their last 17 Boxing Day matches.
John-Joe O’Toole has scored in each of his last three league games for Northampton Town against Swindon Town, who the Cobblers entertain on Boxing Day. Boss Keith Curle has won all three of his managerial home games on Boxing Day in the EFL, twice with Mansfield in 2002 and 2003 and with Carlisle United last year.
Elsewhere, Tranmere Rovers will look to get back to winning ways at home to Morecambe after suffering another defeat away from home on Saturday. While Port Vale face a stern test against Grimsby Town who scored four in their last match.