Preview: Grimsby Town vs Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Grimsby Town will look to re-enter the League Two playoff positions when they play host to Tranmere Rovers at Blundell Park on Thursday night.

The Mariners currently sit ninth in the fourth tier, with a win potentially moving them as high as fifth, while Rovers are searching for just their fifth league victory to steer them away from the dreaded drop zone. 

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Match preview

Winless in their last four League Two outings, Grimsby will be eager to claim a vital three points that could send them into the top six, with David Artell's side currently just one point behind seventh-placed Gillingham. 

After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, finishing two places and two points short, the Mariners are hoping to go one step further this time around and mount a genuine bid for League Two promotion. 

Artell's side started the season strongly, going unbeaten in their opening seven matches in all competitions, a run that included a famous EFL Cup win over Manchester United. 

Now out of the League Cup and EFL Trophy, Grimsby can fully focus on tier four football and hope their run of four league games without a win can be put to an end on Thursday night. 

If they are to sustain a promotion push, the Mariners will need their home form to improve, with their results on the road keeping them in the playoff hunt.

As for Thursday night's visitors Tranmere Rovers, a 20th-placed finish in League Two last season might have sparked hope for a better campaign this time round. 

However, after 17 games Rovers sit five points outside the relegation zone in 16th after winning four, drawing eight and losing five of their League Two outings. 

Their attacking output has been a notable positive aspect of their season, with just five sides scoring more than their 28 goals. 

But conceding 26, their defence ranks amongst the lowest in the fourth tier, highlighting their need to tighten things up at the back if they are to get their season back on track. 

No side has drawn more than eight stalemates which shows there is a solid foundation for Andy Crosby's team to build on if they can start converting draws into wins. 

Grimsby Town League Two form:

Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

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Team News

Grimsby have seemingly come away from their latest league encounter with no fresh injuries to worry about, meaning Artell could name the same XI once again if he wishes to. 

They will likely stick with the 4-5-1 formation which has served them well so far, with Richard O'Donnell in goal and captain Danny Rose leading the line in attack. 

Geza David Turi returned to the starting lineup following his international call-up to the Faroe Islands squad and is expected to start in a midfield five once again. 

As for Tranmere Rovers, they also came away from their last game with no added injury woes. 

They will, however, be without Lee O'Connor who has missed nearly a month of action through an ankle injury; Thursday night's game comes too soon for the Irish defender. 

Long-term injury victim Josh Williams has not featured since February and is expected to sit out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

Two first-half goals last time out from Charlie Whitaker means he should start once again for Rovers.

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Staunton; Turi; Burns, Green, McEachran, Vernam; Rose

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Murphy; McGowan, Smith, Brough; Norman, Finley, Blacker, Patrick; Joseph, Ironside, Whitaker

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We say: Grimsby Town 3-1 Tranmere Rovers

 

Taking into account that Grimsby are one of the highest scoring sides in League Two and are taking on one of the leakiest defences, we expect them to get back to winning ways with ease on Thursday night.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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