Preview: Harrogate Town vs Grimsby Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Harrogate Town will welcome Grimsby Town to the Exercise Stadium on Saturday for matchday two in the new League Two season.

Both sides kicked off their 2024–25 campaigns with wins, with the hosts claiming a 1–0 victory at Bristol Rovers and their visitors beating Crawley Town 3–0.

Match preview

Harrogate started their season with a well-earned win on the road, narrowly defeating Bristol Rovers despite seeing less of the ball and creating fewer chances.

The Sulphurites were outshot 18 to six and had just 41% possession, but they still managed to hold firm and leave with all three points.

Simon Weaver’s side still have areas to improve, notably their vulnerability to through balls and a tendency to be caught offside in attacking phases; issues they will want to improve ahead of Saturday's fixture.

Last season, Harrogate finished 18th in League Two and have yet to crack the top half in any of their five campaigns at this level, which highlights just how much work lies ahead if they want to avoid another year of lower-table obscurity.

Still, under Weaver, the longest-serving manager in the EFL, having taken charge in 2009, the club has made steady progress; he guided them into the English Football League for the first time in 2020, and they have retained their status since.

Harrogate have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning three of the last five encounters between the two clubs, with one draw and one win for Grimsby.

Grimsby will look to build on their explosive start, having gone top of the table following a 3-0 win over Crawley. A debut penalty from Jaze Kabia, along with goals from Cameron McJannet and Evan Khouri, sealed a comfortable opening-day result.

Kabia opened his account from the spot in the ninth minute after Kieran Green was fouled by Crawley goalkeeper Harvey Davies, an ideal start for the new signing.

Grimsby narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last season, finishing ninth and just two points outside the top seven.

There is early-season optimism among the Mariners faithful after such a strong attacking display, and they’ll hope to carry that momentum into Saturday’s clash.

However, like Harrogate, they also have kinks to iron out, particularly their tendency to be caught offside during quick transitions.

Harrogate Town League Two form:

Grimsby Town League Two form:

Team News

Harrogate strengthened their squad over the summer, bringing in defenders Tom Bradbury, Bobby Faulkner and Lewis Cass, midfielder Jack Evans, and attackers Reece Smith and Mason Bennett.

Cass and Bennett both featured in the opening match; the former played 45 minutes and registered one shot off target, while Cass is set to face his former side this weekend.

Grimsby were also active in the summer window, offloading nine players and welcoming eight new arrivals.

Goalkeeper Christy Pym impressed on debut with a clean sheet, while several other new signings featured against Crawley, including Kabia and McJannet, who both found the net.

Coach David Artell may look to rotate or integrate more of his new recruits as the season progresses.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Cass, O’Connor, Bradbury, Burrell; Morris, Evans, Taylor; Smith, McKenna, Bennett

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Rodgers, Tharme, McJannet, Sweeney; McEachran, Burns, Green, Khouri, Vernam; Kabia

We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Grimsby Town

Grimsby showed far more attacking fluency and confidence in their opener and arrive with momentum.

While Harrogate managed to grind out a win against Bristol Rovers, their overall display was far less convincing, and their struggles dealing with pressure could be exploited by a sharper Mariners frontline.

With Kabia and McJannet already off the mark, and players like Vernam and Khouri fit and available, Grimsby should have enough quality to edge this one, though they will need to remain disciplined at the back to avoid being hit on the counter.

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