Preview: Grimsby Town vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

The round 15 fixture pits two out-of-form clubs against each other, with the winner either steering clear of the relegation positions or possibly leaving the bottom two.

Match preview

Grimsby's disappointing run in the league continued on Saturday when they were beaten by table-topping Stockport County, a game that saw Paul Hurst's team lose 3-2, having fought back from 2-0 down to level 2-2 at the start of the second half.

The defeat was the Mariners' second league reverse in succession (third in all competitions), seeing them fall to their third loss in their recent five matches.

This was possibly unforeseen after the North East Lincolnshire outfit claimed a win over Barrow on October 3 and secured a point at Tranmere Rovers a few days later.

Nevertheless, the club's fans could analyse the recent defeats differently: they were tied with Accrington Stanley until Luke Waterfall's 72nd-minute dismissal saw them concede twice in the final 15 minutes, while they played commendably against the division's leading team on Saturday.

Hurst's men seek to return to winning ways in front of their fans, where their seven home goals conceded is one of the lowest in the competition (only five clubs have let in fewer).

As for Colchester, a torrid run of results leaves the away side only three points off bottom club Sutton United.

Four defeats in succession have contributed to the away club's lowly standing, with the inability to keep teams at bay undermining the U's campaign.

Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Harrogate was the final straw for the Colchester board, who dismissed Ben Garner after only seven months in charge.

No replacement has been named, although an appointment could be named imminently with away games against Grimsby and Accrington to come this week.

It remains to be seen if Garner's departure provokes a change in performances and results; that decision was made with Colchester struggling and the apparent fear of becoming a non-league club at the campaign's conclusion.

Grimsby Town League Two form:

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Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

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Colchester United League Two form:

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Colchester United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Waterfall should return to the Grimsby defence after serving a one-game suspension against Stockport.

Hurst could return to a back four on Tuesday after switching to a 5-3-2 against the in-form League Two leaders.

Nico Lawrence and Ellis Iandolo are absent from the Colchester squad due to ankle injuries likely to keep them out for at least another month.

Jay Mingi missed Saturday's encounter through suspension, but the midfielder could return to the squad on Tuesday.

Having broadly utilised a 3-4-1-2, it remains to be seen if personnel or tactical changes are made to the team after Garner's departure.

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Efete, Waterfall, Rodgers, Amos; Conteh, Clifton; Gnahoua, Andrews, Eisa; Rose

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Dallison Mitchell, Hall; Fevrier, McGeehan, Cooper, Egbo; Chilvers; Hopper, Taylor

We say: Grimsby Town 2-1 Colchester United

Despite the Garner's departure, Grimsby could take advantage of Colchester's leaky rearguard to secure a slender victory in North East Lincolnshire.

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