In what can only be called a six-point game, Blundell Park will see Grimsby Town take on Forest Green Rovers.
With only three points separating them right now, this matchup is crucial for the battle for relegation. This season, one or both of the teams could lose, and this will be a game that was undoubtedly the talk of the town a few weeks ago.
Even though Forest Green is directly behind Grimsby in 23rd place, they enter the race in much better form. Steve Cotterill’s team has amassed a very respectable seven points over the last five games, demonstrating that they are not going to be defeated easily. They have managed to free themselves from the bottom and are now within close proximity to safety.
The Mariners are actually winless since the start of the New Year and have only managed to accumulate two points during that same stretch. While it is not a given, this would be the perfect game to return to winning ways.
Having not played in the middle of the week, Grimsby is the more rested of the two, but they should be concerned about Forest Green’s performance during the week. Up until a stoppage-time penalty for their rivals, Rovers managed to hold high-flying Wrexham to a 1-1 draw and appeared to be certain to win all three points.
Here’s how two of The Real EFL’s writing team see the game playing out…
Ivan Newsome
“I don’t want to make this too longwinded and that’s simply down to the fact that I’m confident that Forest Green Rovers will take all three point from this.
Their recent form is far better than that of Grimsby’s and despite the Mariners potentially being better rested, Forest Green have lots of positives to take from their game with Wrexham.
Although they couldn’t quite see that one out, it was a far better performance than one that is expected from a team in 23rd. This is a huge game in the relegation fight. I’m expecting goals and the home side to relatively easily beat their opponents here.
Grimsby Town 1-4 Forest Green Rovers
Charlie Beeston
“We talk about six-pointers all the time. Games that could mean something if results don’t change. Games that are actually more pivotal for one team than another. But this fixture is absolutely massive for both team’s chances of survival in League Two this season. Forest Green Rovers are currently sat in the bottom two but with a recent run of positive form, including a midweek draw against promotion hopefuls Wrexham, they are beginning to dream that they can pull in those above them. One of those sides of course being Grimsby.
When the Mariners brought in David Artell, many, myself included, thought it was a solid appointment and he could help them climb the league. That has not gone to plan, and coming into this, they have failed to win in 2024. With that, I struggle to see them getting a victory again here, however, although Forest Green have improved, I doubt they’ve improved enough to make this a comfortable victory for them.
Grimsby Town 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
