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

Meanwhile, the visitors are aiming to make it back-to-back victories in League Two after edging a close contest against Hartlepool United last weekend.

Match preview

Grimsby were brought back down to earth in their 3-1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers last time out, courtesy of goals from George Miller (2) and Harrison Biggins.

Paul Hurst's side were enjoying a decent spell of form away from League Two matters before hosting Doncaster, thrashing League One side Plymouth Argyle 5-1 in their first-round FA Cup clash, before beating Manchester City's Under-21s on penalties in the EFL Trophy.

Having won promotion from the National League in the 2021-22 season, Grimsby have adapted well to life back in the fourth tier, seemingly in no danger of being embroiled in a relegation battle.

However, the defeat at home to Doncaster gave the Mariners a reality check, as they currently sit 14th in the table, having lost their previous three league outings.

Hurst will be aware that his side will slide further down the division if they continue on this poor run of form.

Meanwhile, Stevenage are currently occupying second spot in League Two, just three points behind leaders Leyton Orient after picking up 39 points in 18 games.

Danny Rose's strike 11 minutes from time was enough for Boro to see off Hartlepool United last time out, and give Stevenage their 12th win of the season.

Steve Evans will have been pleased with his side's response to bowing out of the EFL Cup against Charlton Athletic, and he will be hoping that his men can keep the pressure on Leyton Orient here by making it two successive league triumphs.

Boro are now three games unbeaten in league matters, and they also booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 win over Gateshead on November 5.

Securing promotion to League One would represent a brilliant campaign for the Hertfordshire club, with success in the cup competitions seen as a bonus.

Grimsby Town League Two form:

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W

D

L

L

L

Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

L

Stevenage League Two form:

W

D

L

W

D

W

Stevenage form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

L

W

Team News

Paul Hurst confirmed that Ryan Taylor would be out for around three months with a torn hamstring after suffering the injury in training.

Max Crocombe has been a mainstay between the sticks for Grimsby but the rest of the side has seen plenty of rotation over the course of the campaign - the Mariners have used 25 players in the league alone so far this term.

As for the visitors, Steve Evans made two changes against Hartlepool from the side that lost in the EFL Cup to Charlton, with Taye Ashby-Hammond and Alex Gilbey coming in for Aaron Chapman and Michael Bostwick.

Evans opted for a back four of Luther James-Wildin, Dan Sweeney, Carl Piergianni and Max Clark last weekend, however he could name a back five here as that has been his preferred system for most of the season.

Danny Rose scored his fifth goal of the season against Hartlepool last time out, and he will be hoping to get on the scoresheet again here.

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Efete, Smith, Waterfall, Driscoll-Glennon; Hunt, Morris; Clifton, Holohan, Khan; McAtee

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Chapman; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni, Clark; Campbell, Gilbey, Bostwick; Rose, Norris

We say: Grimsby Town 1-2 Stevenage

Grimsby have one of the worst home records in the division, picking up just seven points from eight matches at Blundell Park so far this season.

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