Grimsby Town take on Crewe Alexandra at Blundell Park on Tuesday night, in the latest round of League Two fixtures.
Both sides are sitting comfortably in mid-table and have little to play for at this stage of the season, but the game could act as a platform for some players to earn new contracts.
Match preview
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All things considered, Grimsby will be happy with their first season back in the EFL, as they have managed to consolidate their status as a League Two side, currently sitting in 13th place, having acquired 55 points from 43 games.
The most memorable part of this campaign will undoubtedly be the Mariners' fantastic run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, defeating the likes of Southampton and Luton Town before losing against Brighton & Hove Albion, just one game before reaching Wembley.
Inconsistency has been the main reason Paul Hurst's side have been unable to mount a push for the playoffs this season, having recently recorded impressive victories against Doncaster Rovers and Barrow before coming up short against a struggling Tranmere Rovers side last time out.
Grimsby fell to a 2-0 defeat away at a Tranmere side that had won just one of their previous nine games, although they probably should have taken more from the game on the balance of play, recording 17 shots compared to just six from the home side.
The Mariners have already defeated Tuesday's opponents twice this season, running out 4-0 winners in the EFL Cup way back in August and recording a 3-0 victory away from home at the beginning of February.
Indeed, Crewe have a very poor recent record against Grimsby, and they have struggled to adapt to life in League Two in general this season, currently sitting in 18th place.
The Railwaymen have shown some signs of improvement as of late, winning three of their last five games in League Two, but like their opponents, they have struggled to put a consistent run together all season.
Away performances have been particularly poor for Lee Bell's side, having acquired just 18 points from 21 games on their travels so far this season, scoring 14 goals, the joint-lowest amount of any side in the division.
Last time out, Crewe's away struggles continued, albeit against quality opponents in league leaders Leyton Orient, losing 2-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium after having just two shots on target in the entire match.
Team News
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Hurst may choose to freshen his Grimsby side up, in light of the disappointing defeat against Tranmere at the weekend, with John McAtee replacing Ryan Taylor in attack.
It was perhaps a surprise to see George Lloyd drop to the bench on Saturday, considering he had scored two goals in his previous three games, and the 23-year-old could come back in at right-wing.
Crewe striker Courtney Baker-Richardson has scored just one goal in 10 games during 2023, so it would not be a surprise to see him drop to the bench, although Bell is not blessed with great replacements, as Elliott Nevitt is yet to score since signing for the club in January.
Callum Ainley dropped to the bench at the weekend, but he was brought on before the hour mark, replacing Joel Tabiner, and the 25-year-old could return to the starting XI, playing alongside Conor Thomas and Ryan Finnigan in midfield.
Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Emmanuel, Waterfall, Maher, Amos; Holohan, Green, Clifton, Lloyd, Khan; McAtee
Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Richards; Mellor, Offord, McDonald, Uwakwe; Finnigan, Thomas, Tabiner; Long, Agyei, Nevitt
We say: Grimsby Town 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Grimsby have a fantastic recent record against Crewe, and while they have not been at their best in recent times, they have lost just one of their last eight home games in the league.
As such, we expect the Mariners to run out narrow victors in a result that will move them up into the top half of the League Two table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
