Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 May 2022, 10:30
Wrexham play host to Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon looking to move to within one victory of earning promotion back to the EFL.

However, Grimsby head into the National League playoff semi-final in the greater form having edged out Notts County in the quarter-finals earlier this week.

Match preview

When Wrexham produced a dominant performance to see off eventual champions Stockport County earlier this month, many were tipping the Welsh side to achieve a league and cup double.

However, since May 8, the Dragons have been thoroughly outplayed by Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day of the campaign, leaving them to settle for second spot, and lost the FA Trophy final to Bromley.

Such has been the focus on promotion that the Wembley showpiece was played down to a certain degree, but Phil Parkinson cannot be happy with how his team have performed over their last 180 minutes.

Overall, they have won just four times in nine matches since the middle of April, hardly the form of promotion hopefuls, and there is no doubt that the stakes have been significantly raised ahead of this contest.

On a positive note, Wrexham have not suffered defeat at the Racecourse Ground since the end of November, with one of their victories since then being against Grimsby by a 1-0 scoreline.

Nevertheless, that will only add as further motivation for the Mariners, who will want to upset the applecart at the celebrity-owned club just like they did against higher-profile hosts Notts County earlier this week.

Paul Hurst's team appeared to be heading out of the playoffs when they entered added-on time trailing by a 1-0 scoreline, but a last-gasp equaliser from Gavan Holohan was followed by a 119th-minute extra-time winner from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

Having been on the receiving end of an unlikely comeback in their final league game at Eastleigh, it was an impressive show of character from Grimsby who will have no fear heading into this contest.

While much will be made of Wrexham's home form, Grimsby have not suffered defeat away from Blundell Park since March 8, a streak lasting eight games.

Wrexham National League form:

Wrexham form (all competitions):

Grimsby Town National League form:

Team News

Parkinson will likely consider making two changes to his Wrexham XI with Thomas O'Connor and Liam McAlinden potentially dropping out of the side.

That would allow Tyler French to be restored to the back three, and Reece Hall-Johnson return to the side at right wing-back.

The remainder of the side should stay the same with Parkinson expected to be against making too many alterations.

Despite having gone to extra time earlier this week, Grimsby will be relatively fresh with the majority of the players involved having been rested for the final game of the season.

Hurst will likely opt for the same side from the Notts County game, but Dieseruvwe's dramatic goal, as well as his hat-trick versus Eastleigh, puts him in contention to replace Ryan Taylor in attack.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Dibble; French, Cleworth, Tozer; Hall-Johnson, Davies, Young, Jones, McFadzean; Mullin, Palmer

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Cropper, Waterfall, Smith, Amos; Holohan, Fox; Sousa, McAtee, Clifton; Dieseruvwe

We say: Wrexham 2-1 Grimsby Town

While Wrexham have had the greater rest ahead of this contest, all of the momentum is with the visitors, who will relish the tag of underdogs. Nevertheless, we still expect the Welsh side to use their home advantage, potentially prevailing at the Racecourse Ground by the odd goal in three.

Previews by email

Top News

14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England interim manager Lee Carsley has played down Harry Kane's strong words about the withdrawal of many of his teammates, insisting he is looking forward to working with other players who also deserve a chance. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly fearful that Lisandro Martinez could spend an extended spell on the sidelines with the hip injury that has forced him to withdraw from Argentina duty. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon wing-back Maximiliano Araujo has hinted that he hopes to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the near future. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Morocco will be looking to maintain their 100% record in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they visit the Stade de Franceville to take on Gabon on Friday. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Marino will hope to leapfrog Gibraltar and prevent them from earning promotion from their UEFA Nations League D group when they welcome them to Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle on Friday. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their fifth UEFA Nations League C match of 2024-25, Northern Ireland are set to host Belarus on Friday at Windsor Park, with victory enough to guarantee a place in the top two. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Zimbabwe will be hoping to book their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Kenya on matchday five of qualifying this Friday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could reportedly move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez during next summer's transfer window. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool should arguably be considered favourites for Premier League glory after they took charge of the title race last weekend when they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield and moved five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Burnley could reportedly offer Ruud van Nistelrooy the chance to make a swift return to English football, with the Clarets interested in bringing him in as their new manager. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal out in Porto when they face Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane has expressed his disappointment at the number of players to have withdrawn from the Three Lions squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures with Greece and Republic of Ireland. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi has been handed a call-up to the Spain squad for the national team's November international fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid youngster Marc Cucalon has been forced to retire from professional football at the age of 19 due to a serious knee injury which he suffered in the latter stages of 2022. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have revealed that Ansu Fati has been ruled out for around four weeks with a hamstring injury. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is facing a crisis at centre-back ahead of their UEFA Nations League clash with Poland in Porto on Friday night. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal welcome Poland to Porto on matchday five of the UEFA Nations League on Friday night. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has said that it is "the right moment" for Ruben Amorim to arrive at Old Trafford, claiming that the Portuguese "did something very special" at Sporting Lisbon. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Ben White has apparently gone under the knife to treat a joint issue in his knee, which will sideline the Englishman for around two months. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro as two of their top defensive targets for 2025. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly among three Premier League clubs interested in FC Nordsjaelland full-back Daniel Svensson. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly among three Premier League clubs interested in FC Nordsjaelland full-back Daniel Svensson. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Botswana will host Mauritania in their penultimate 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Francistown Stadium on Friday. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has provided a positive injury update ahead of potentially representing Belgium. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Scotland's stay in the UEFA Nations League's top tier could be brought to its end on Friday, when they face an almost must-win game against League A Group 1 rivals Croatia. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lamine Yamal is among a number of absentees for Spain, as the national side conclude their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League group-stage campaign with fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain will be bidding to secure top spot in Group 4 of League A in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League when they head to Denmark on Friday evening for what is shaping up to be an intriguing affair. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion forward Danny Welbeck has claimed that speculation regarding a potential return to Manchester United is "irrelevant". 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Manchester City winger Jack Grealish as a potential January transfer target. 13 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in joining the race to sign a Benfica defender in 2025.