Grimsby have won five of their last seven matches
Salford have failed to score in three of their last five games
Recommended bet: Grimsby to win @ 27/25 with LiveScore Bet
Grimsby Town forced their way into the League Two play-offs with a strong finish to the season and they are set to provide stiff opposition to Salford City in their semi-final, first leg at Blundell Park.
The early months of Town's season were dominated by their exploits in the EFL Cup.
They advanced to the competition's fourth round and registered a stunning second-round success over Manchester United, who came off second best in a penalty shootout.
The Mariners became distracted and went nine league games without winning from mid-October until late-December.
However, they came storming back and were mathematically assured of a play-off spot after winning 4-0 at home to Swindon Town in their penultimate game.
City were in the higher echelons of the table for a longer period and came within a whisker of automatic promotion.
Karl Robinson’s side were held to a 0-0 draw at Crawley last Saturday and finished just a point adrift of third-placed Cambridge.
The latest Grimsby Town vs Salford City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
First team regulars Reece Staunton, Harvey Rodgers and Jaze Kabia were left out of the starting XI for last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers, but all three should return to the side.
Charles Vernam (Achilles) has returned to the fold in recent weeks and made his first since March at Prenton Park. Doug Tharme (hamstring) is a long-term absentee.
Kelly N'Mai (hamstring) came off the bench in last Saturday's goalless draw at Crawley and is pushing to make his first start for over two months.
However, there are ongoing doubts over defender Zach Awe, attacker Ben Woodburn and midfielder Ossama Ashley, who have been absent in recent weeks.
The stats
Grimsby have lost only one of their last 13 home league fixtures and the Mariners have scored in each of their last 10 games.
Town have won five of their last six matches against Salford.
Salford have scored less than two goals in six of their last seven away games.
All of City's last eight matches have generated less than four goals.
The latest Grimsby Town vs Salford City odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Grimsby were National League play-off winners in 2022 and they can edge closer to reaching another Wembley final by defeating Salford on the Lincolnshire coast.
Experienced manager David Artell has overseen steady progression from the Mariners since joining the club in November 2023.
Artell's side have lost just four of their last 25 league games and showed their quality during the run-in with outstanding victories away to Cambridge (2-1) and at home to Swindon (4-0) when there was huge pressure to perform.
Salford have been in the top seven since mid-March, but they will have been disappointed to have fallen just short of a top-three finish.
The Ammies have sustained 10 away league losses this season, including a 3-1 reverse at Grimsby in early March and they may struggle to cope with their in-form hosts.
Score prediction: Grimsby Town 2-1 Salford City
