Preview: Grimsby Town vs. Harrogate Town – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Two teams that could really do with a win, albeit for very different reasons, will go head-to-head at Blundell Park on Thursday as Grimsby town be hosted by Harrogate Town.

The home side are currently in the hunt for a place in the promotion play-offs, while their visitors are looking to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Wins over Accrington Stanley and Morecambe by an aggregate score of 8-2 at the start of December raised some expectations of a fruitful festive period for Grimsby, but defeats to Crewe Alexandra and Swindon Town since then have dampened spirits.

Given their level of dominance over Crewe, David Artell‘s men were perhaps a little unlucky to come away empty-handed, but their performance against Swindon last time out was deservedly punished via a 3-1 defeat.

The Mariners fell behind after just two more minutes Ollie Clarke‘s opener and saw their deficit double four minutes shy of the half time whistle thanks to Kabongo Tshimanga‘s strike, after which the striker added to his tally just past the hour mark to wrap things up.

Only seven points separate second place from 11th League Two tableeighth-placed Grimsby remain alive in the race for a playoff spot, but every point dropped from here on out could prove costly given how tight the standings are.

Still yet to suffer three league defeats in a row this term, Thursday’s hosts will be hoping to keep that run going, although their record against the away side is cause for concern with five defeats from their last six fixtures.

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In keeping with what has largely been a Jekyll and Hyde campaign so far, Harrogate were beaten for the fourth consecutive game in a routine 2-0 defeat to Walsall in Saturday’s affair at the Exercise Stadium.

Nathan Lowe‘s opens, combined with Josh Marchsends off at four minute intervals, left Simon Weaver‘s men in a deep hole at half-time and any hopes of a comeback were put to bed 22 minutes from time by Albert Adomah.

Since ending November with three straight wins, the Sulphurites have embarked on their longest losing streak of the season, which has dragged them into a bit of a relegation scrap, with just two points now separating them from the bottom three.

Currently, with the third fewest goals scored (17) and fourth most goals conceded (32) in the division, Harrogate need significant improvement at both ends of the pitch as they look to spark a renaissance heading into in the second half of the season.

Having won just one of their last nine games away from home ahead of Thursday’s affair, the visitors have it all to do in the first of two straight games on the road to the end of the year, after which a trip to Fleetwood Town awaits.

Grimsby Town League Two form:

Harrogate Town League Two form:

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):

Team news

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Josh March is ineligible to play any part for Harrogate Town here after receiving an early bath for two bookable offenses against Walsall.

March’s absence has opened the door for an immediate return to the starting line-up for Jack Muldoonhad to settle for a cameo appearance just over half an hour into the last timeout.

After his consolation strike against Swindon, Danny Rose has now been directly involved in a quarter of Grimsby’s 28 goals so far, making him one to watch.

Charles Vernam has been out of action for the home side since September due to a knee injury, which will keep the forward out of Thursday’s game.

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Wright; Hume, McJannett, Rodgers, Cass; McEachran, Davies, Green; Barrington, Luker, Rose

Harrogate Town possible starting line-up:
Belshaw; Sims, Moon, O’Connor, Foulds; Sutton, Cornelius; Dooley, Daly, Asare; Muldoon

We say: Grimsby Town 2-1 Harrogate Town

Both teams have achieved similar numbers at the defensive end of things, but Grimsby have been the far superior side going forward and we’re backing them to come away with maximum points at the full-time whistle.

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

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