The FA Cup round-of-16 tie between Mansfield Town and Arsenal will take place on 7 March at Field Mill. Mansfield Town vs Arsenal: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Mansfield Town
The League One side last reached the FA Cup round of 16 in 1970. The club have made it to this late stage largely thanks to a win over Burnley in the previous round, and it came at the opponent’s stadium (2:1). It is also worth noting that in this season’s competition the team beat Sheffield United (4:3) and Accrington (1:1, aet 1:1, pens 3:1). Incidentally, all of those matches were away from home.
- In the team’s previous seven matches in this competition, they have suffered just one defeat in normal time (five wins and one draw).
- Both teams to score has landed in Mansfield Town’s last four FA Cup games.
- The club have not won four of their last five home matches in this competition (one draw and three defeats).
Potential Mansfield Town Lineup (3-4-2-1)*
Lee Roberts – Fraser Blake-Tracy, Kyle Noyle, Adedeji Oshilaja – Lucas Akins, Louis Reed, Aaron Lewis, Stephen McLaughlin – Will Evans, Jonathan Russell – Rhys Oates.
Arsenal
The London side have come through the previous two rounds with ease, thrashing two opponents from the lower leagues by big scorelines. First, Portsmouth were swept aside away from home (4:1), before Wigan were comfortably beaten at home (4:0). Interestingly, prior to that the team had failed to win in normal time in three straight FA Cup matches (one draw and two defeats). Last season, the Gunners went out in the round of 32, losing on penalties to Manchester United. It is also worth noting that the team have not progressed beyond the round of 32 in the last five editions of the competition.
- A maximum of three goals were scored in 13 of Arsenal’s last 15 FA Cup matches.
- At least one of the sides failed to score in seven of the Gunners’ last nine matches in this competition.
- The London side have won 10 of their last 14 away FA Cup matches (four defeats).
Potential Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3)*
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Christian Mosquera, William Saliba, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly – Christian Norgaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze – Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus.
Referee
Tom Bramall (England)
Matches – 19 (the Premier League and English cups, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second cautions) – 70;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match on average – 21;
Penalties – 32%.
Mansfield Town vs Arsenal: Match Prediction
We should note straight away that the Gunners have a fantastic opportunity to win four trophies this season. The club have already reached the EFL Cup final, which will take place on 22 March, and next week they will also play in the Champions League round of 16. On top of that, the London side are top of the Premier League. Will Mikel Arteta really take such risks and spend his players’ energy on the FA Cup as well? Of course, the manager will not throw the competition away, but he will look to progress without overexerting himself, and he will certainly rest the team’s key players. That is something the League One side can take advantage of.
We suggest there will not be a big away win in this tie. Mansfield Town have not lost by more than three goals in their last 18 FA Cup matches. Meanwhile, the Gunners have not beaten their opponents in this competition by a margin of four goals or more in 19 of their last 20 games. We should also add that the London side have not won by more than three goals in their last 11 away FA Cup matches.
Prediction: Mansfield Town (+3)
* Each team’s starting lineup is taken from its previous match in this competition.
