Blundell Park is set to host a League Two promotion six-pointer on Tuesday when in-form Grimsby Town face Notts County.
The Mariners are in strong form at the moment and will be full of confidence, while the Magpies will be desperate to stabilise their season having been out of sorts in recent weeks.
Match preview
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David Artell's Grimsby are on a lengthy unbeaten streak heading into their midweek clash, having won five and drawn three of their eight most recent games.
Last time out, the Mariners impressively came from behind to beat league leaders Walsall 3-1 at Bescot Stadium thanks to a Jayden Luker brace either side of a Danny Rose penalty.
That victory kept Artell's side in eighth place but took them level on points with seventh-placed Crewe Alexandra and to within two points of both Port Vale and their opponents in fifth.
Another win on Tuesday would make it six in eight for the hosts, and considering that they have not lost at Blundell Park in 2025, both players and fans alike will be anticipating a positive result.
Three points could see Grimsby climb all the way up to fifth in the table should results elsewhere prove favourable, and from there they may even be just three points behind Doncaster Rovers in the automatic promotion places by the next matchday.
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Meanwhile, Stuart Maynard's Notts started the year by winning five of their opening seven matches, but they have lost three, drawn two and won only one of their last six leading up to this crucial showdown.
On Saturday, the Magpies extended their winless run to three matches when they followed up a defeat against Barrow and a stalemate with Fleetwood Town by losing 2-0 on the road to promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon.
Despite dropping another three points at the weekend, Maynard's team are still fifth in League Two, though leaving 13 points on the table over the last month has put their ambitions at risk with Grimsby ready to capitalise.
To make matters worse, the visitors may be dreading the travel in midweek given that they have a mixed record away from their own ground in 2025, and a win this time around would be only their third on the road this year.
If Notts are to pick up a vital three points on Tuesday, then they will have to play beyond their current form, though avoiding defeat at the very least will be the priority with their campaign at stake.
Team News
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Grimsby will be without centre-backs Douglas Tharme and Luke Cass after they picked up injuries against Tranmere Rovers and Walsall respectively, so expect Harvey Rodgers, Tyrell Warren and Cameron McJannett to line up in defence.
Offensively, Denver Hume and Jason Dadi Svanporsson will provide width from wing-back, while attacking midfielder Kieran Green should support strikers Danny Rose and Jayden Luker up top.
As for Notts, centre-back Zac Johnson was taken off at half time last time out, and Rod McDonald could take his place in the XI from kick off this time around should Maynard opt to start with the system he changed to in the second period of that game.
Likewise, midfielder Jack Hinchy was withdrawn for right-back Lewis Macari after the first 45, and he could start alongside McDonald, Matthew Platt and Jacob Bedeau in the backline on Tuesday.
Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Wright; Warren, Rodgers, McJannett; Svanporsson, McEachran, Khouri, Hume; Green; Rose, Luker
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; Macari, McDonald, Platt, Bedeau; Tsaroulla, Abbot, Palmer, Grant; Jatta, Whitaker
We say: Grimsby Town 2-1 Notts County
All of the momentum seems to be with Grimsby ahead of this clash, and with both sides in contrasting form, the hosts have a golden opportunity to leapfrog their opponents in midweek.
That being said, the Magpies could put up a fight with their ambitions at risk in this six-pointer, though a close-fought victory for the Mariners is the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
