Grimsby Town face a tough test against in-form Bradford City on Tuesday night, as the Bantams look to continue their recent winning streak. The match at Blundell Park promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes so far this season.
Grimsby, currently sitting in 21st place in League Two, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing run of form. They have lost their last three league games, most recently suffering a 2-0 defeat to Colchester United. Manager Paul Hurst will be hoping to inspire his team to a much-needed victory, with the pressure mounting following their poor start to the campaign.
Bradford City, on the other hand, have enjoyed a positive start to the season. Sitting ninth in the table, they've won their last four league matches, scoring a commendable 12 goals in the process. The Bantams will be buoyed by their impressive form and will be confident of extending their winning run on Tuesday.
Team News:
Grimsby will be without the injured Danny Rose, their top scorer with 15 goals last season. The Mariners will likely field a similar line-up to their recent outings, with Jordan Wright in goal and Charles Vernam leading the attack.
Bradford City have a near-full squad to choose from. On-loan Fulham striker Olly Sanderson is likely to be included in the nine-man bench, adding depth to the forward line. Manager Mark Hughes will be hoping to continue his successful partnership with top scorer Andy Cook, who has bagged 19 goals this season.
Referee:
The match will be officiated by David Coote, a Premier League referee from Nottinghamshire. Coote was in charge of the 2023 FA Cup final at Wembley, when Manchester United defeated Newcastle United.
Match Odds:
The bookmakers have Grimsby as slight underdogs at 15/8, with Bradford City favoured at 13/10. The draw is priced at 5/2.
Last Time They Met:
The two sides last met on Easter Monday at Blundell Park, with Bradford City securing a 1-1 draw thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Richie Smallwood.
Key Talking Points:
Can Grimsby rediscover their winning formula? The Mariners have struggled for consistency this season, and a home victory against a strong Bradford City side would be a significant boost to their confidence.
Will Bradford City's winning run continue? The Bantams have found their groove in recent weeks and will be looking to carry their momentum into the match against Grimsby.
Can Andy Cook continue his goalscoring form? The Bradford City striker has been in prolific form this season, and he will be a key threat to the Grimsby defence.
The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both sides capable of producing a winning performance. With the pressure on Grimsby and Bradford City's current form, Tuesday night's match at Blundell Park could be a pivotal moment in both teams' seasons.