Salford City will welcome Grimsby Town to the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday afternoon, aiming for a crucial win that could propel them into the top half of the League Two standings. Currently, Salford sits just three points behind Grimsby, who are only one point shy of the playoff places despite being in 11th position.
Match Preview
Salford City: After a promising rise through the leagues, Salford City has found themselves in a mid-table rut in recent years. Their first win of the season didn’t come until September, and they have managed to accumulate only four points from their last four games. However, they secured a vital 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon in their last outing, thanks to a late strike from Junior Luamba. This win has given Salford some breathing space, as they now sit six points clear of the relegation zone. Defensively, they have been solid, conceding just nine goals in nine matches, but their attacking struggles, with only six goals scored, have hindered their progress.
Grimsby Town: In contrast to Salford, Grimsby Town has experienced a rollercoaster of results, with their last 16 League Two matches resulting in either a win or a loss—split evenly with eight victories and eight defeats. After a three-game winning streak, which included triumphs over Bromley, Carlisle United, and Gillingham, Grimsby faced a reality check with a heavy 3-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers in their last match. Despite this setback, they have turned their away form around, recording back-to-back wins after a tough start to the season.
Team News
- Salford City: After scoring his first goal of the season, Junior Luamba may earn a start in the Salford attack, potentially replacing Cole Stockton. This could be the only change to the starting lineup as Karl Robinson looks to build on their recent success.
- Grimsby Town: Grimsby head coach David Artell will have to make at least one change due to Harvey Rodgers’ suspension. Lewis Cass may shift to a central-defensive role, allowing Tyrell Warren to fill in at right-back. Young midfielder Cameron Gardner is also pushing for his first start of the season.
Predicted Lineups
Salford City (4-2-3-1):
- Jones; Mnoga, Negru, Austerfield; Taylor, Ashley, Fornah, Garbutt; N’Mai; Kouassi, Luamba
Grimsby Town (4-2-3-1):
- Smith; Warren, Cass, McJannet, Hume; McEachran; Svanthorsson, Green, Khouri, Barrington; Rose
Prediction
Given Salford’s ongoing struggles to find the back of the net, it’s difficult to back them with confidence in this matchup. However, they have shown defensive resilience that could allow them to earn a point against a Grimsby side that has had its ups and downs. Therefore, we anticipate a closely contested encounter that will likely end in a draw.
Predicted Score: Salford City 1-1 Grimsby Town.
