Grimsby did the double over Salford during the regular League Two season.
Grimsby outperformed Salford for goals for and goals against during the regular campaign, and they also lost fewer games than the Ammies.
Chesterfield had a 100% winning record from six games against the other three playoff teams during the regular season.
It’s crunch time for League Two’s four remaining promotion chasers and on Sunday, May 10th, that quartet of hopefuls will contest the first legs of their semi-final double headers in the playoffs.
First up, Grimsby entertain Salford at Blundell Park at 3 pm, when the Mariners will attempt to topple City for the third time since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Later on, Chesterfield take on Notts County at the SMH Stadium, with the Spireites priced as slight favourites to establish a crucial first-leg advantage. Action there kicks off at 6 pm.
Below, we preview both first legs and offer a score prediction for the games, along with some extra tips to consider for each game from standout markets.
Grimsby Town vs Salford City (Sunday, 3 pm)
The latest Grimsby vs Salford o dds are available on LiveScore Bet
After the final playoff positional shakeup was settled on Saturday, Grimsby were paired with Salford City in the semifinals, a team that the Mariners sank twice during the regular season.
Grimsby beat Salford 2-0 at the Peninsula Stadium in October and 3-1 at Blundell Park as recently as March, and Town were good value for each of those wins, restricting the Ammies to just six shots on target combined across both encounters.
Buoyed by those results, David Artell’s side will fancy their chances of establishing an advantage on Sunday to take into next week’s second leg.
Artell chose to rest Reece Staunton, Harvey Rodgers, Clarke Oduor and Jaze Kabia for Grimsby’s final regular-season game of the campaign at Tranmere last weekend, so fatigue shouldn’t be an issue.
The Blundell Park factor feels considerable here too. Grimsby have lost only once in 13 fixtures at that venue since mid-December, posting wins in eight of the same matches.
Salford meanwhile, have been in plenty of sticky situations on the road. City lost five of their last nine away assignments of the campaign and failed to score in three of their final four tests on their travels.
Despite finishing with a slightly higher points tally, Salford actually trailed Grimsby for goals for (61-74) and against (51-50) during the regular season, while City (15) also lost more often than the Mariners (12) during the league phase. Grimsby’s superiority on several fronts could be reflected in Sunday’s scoreline in Lincolnshire.
Score prediction: Grimsby 2-1 Salford
Other Grimsby Town vs Salford City Betting Tips:
Under 10.5 corners
Just eight corners were won by both teams combined in Grimsby and Salford’s first encounter of the season in October, while their rematch in March featured only nine. In addition, Salford’s League Two away fixtures have been averaging just 9.17 corners per game this term, which is the fifth-lowest figure in the division for that metric.
Grimsby to score first
Grimsby managed to break the deadlock in each of their previous two meetings with Salford this season. The fast starters have also scored the opening goal in five of their last seven league matches at Blundell Park.
Chesterfield vs Notts County (Sunday, 6 pm)
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Chesterfield are many punters and pundits’ pick to go all the way in the League Two playoffs, and Paul Cook’s fancied side have earned their backing.
The Spireites have consistently produced the goods in big games this season. They held the best record against top six opposition during the regular campaign, losing only once in ten meetings with the division’s elite (W6-D5-L1).
Against the other three League Two playoff contenders, their performances were virtually flawless, with Chesterfield beating Grimsby, Salford and Sunday’s opponents, Notts County, both home and away.
Indeed, both of Chesterfield’s wins over the Magpies were secured relatively recently in February (2-0) and March (3-2), though Notts County’s form and results have been on a steady downward curve for months.
County have failed to win nine of their last 16 games, while three of their last five away trips ended in defeat. That poor form ultimately cost Notts County automatic promotion, with their 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers last weekend confirming their place in the playoffs instead.
Martin Peterson has work to do to lift his players’ confidence ahead of Sunday’s short trip north to the SMH Group Stadium, though we expect County to fall short again against big-game specialists, Chesterfield.
Score prediction: Chesterfield 2-0 Notts County
Other Chesterfield vs Notts County Betting Tips:
Lee Bonis to score anytime
Chesterfield’s leading marksman has 13 goals this season and Bonis finished the campaign in fine scoring style, netting three times in his last two appearances and four times in his last four starts overall. The 26-year-old opened the scoring when the Spireites last hosted Notts County in February and he is priced attractively as an anytime scorer prospect again here.
Chesterfield to be winning at half time
Chesterfield’s outstanding record (W6-D0-L0) against Salford, Notts County and Grimsby this season should give them the impetus to go for the jugular on Sunday, so expect a fast start from the hosts. Chesterfield had their noses in front at half time in each of their last four home games, and they are worth backing to lead at the break again when Notts County visit.
