NORTHAMPTON TOWN v SCUNTHORPE UNITED
The Cobblers could move to within three points of Scunthorpe if they win this crucial clash at Sixfields. It has been a dramatic fall from grace for Scunthorpe who fell out of the top three for the first time in months after their goalless draw with Macclesfield last weekend.
Whilst their home form has been fine, it is their away record that has cost them this season. They have only picked up maximum points on five occasions and haven't won for nine games away from Glanford Park. If they are going to get back into an automatic promotion position then they will need to win away from home and they won't find it easy at Northampton.
The Cobblers have found it hard to live up to the tag of pre-season favourites and have been hovering around the fringes of the play-offs all season. They splashed out on Boston's Andy Kirk before the transfer deadline and he has responded with goals but they lost at Leyton Orient last week to drop into eighth place.
Their home form is only average as they have drawn on nine occasions and they will need Kirk to produce the goods again.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Scunthorpe's slide to continue as Northampton bag all three points.
YEOVIL TOWN v MANSFIELD TOWN
Yeovil are another top team feeling the heat and their jittery form has seen them lose four of their last five games. Both Bury and Notts County have gone to Huish Park and picked up maximum points in the last month and Mansfield will fancy their chances of adding to that list.
Yeovil are showing a soft underbelly and lost at Rushden last week so Carlton Palmer's resurgent Mansfield outfit are the last team they want to face. Palmer has had to deal with the boo-boys at Field Mill but two consecutive wins mean that the tide is starting to turn.
It is too late for the play-offs this season but Palmer will be hoping that players such as Simon Brown can continue to make a real impact for the Stags. Their blood and thunder style could certainly upset Yeovil and Gary Johnson will be hoping that Phil Jevons can add to his 23-goal tally.
If he strikes form then the Glovers could get back on track – but the pressure is being cranked up by the chasing pack.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Yeovil will have too much in their locked for Mansfield and will win by a two-goal margin.
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS v BURY
Stuart Watkiss reckoned that last week's 3-0 defeat at Wycombe was the worst performance he had ever been associated with in his career. Coming on the back of a 3-1 home defeat against Mansfield it looks as though Harriers' bubble might have burst following a six-game unbeaten run.
That lifted them to within two points of Rushden and safety but they are now five adrift again and it looks as though they might run out of games. This is an absolute must-win fixture for them and they won't find it easy against a battling Bury side who have surged clear of the danger zone in recent weeks.
Chris Porter is a threat for the Shakers up front and Kiddy's shaky back-line will have to be on their toes to contain him. Watkiss might be forced to chuck Gary Birch back into the fray just to shake his team up as the noose is beginning to tighten.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Kidderminster will win a stay of execution and pick up three valuable points, but will it be too late.
