Forest Green Rovers vs Grimsby Town Betting Tips & Predictions

As tipsters rip up the rule book the last place of the Football League will go to one of the two sides who have the poorest form of all four contenders. Both Grimsby and Forest Green only managed to pick up eight points in the final eight games of the regular campaign so it is some achievement that each of them was able to overcome teams in significantly better form in the semi finals.

Grimsby were in particular trouble after the first leg, they were 1-0 down and all the stats suggested they needed a good result whilst at home in order to qualify for the final. Despite this Paul Hurst’s side were able to seal their place at Wembley as they overcame Braintree Town in a 2-0 win after extra time. The Mariners now know they are potentially 90 minutes away from a return to the Football League after a six year absence. In order for this to happen Town will have to put last season’s final heartbreak behind them and they know that, with the FA Trophy final just seven days later, they will have their opportunity to write themselves into local folklore.

Forest Green Rovers preparation for what is undoubtedly the biggest game the club has ever seen has been up there with the most bizarre that I have come across. Despite sitting second in the league Rovers took the decision to sack Ady Pennock before the final game of the regular campaign. Club Physio Scott Bartlett was then installed as interim manager and he had to face in form Dover three times in a row in order to see his side progress to Wembley. During the time between the first and second legs Chairman Dale Vince has appointed Mark Cooper as manager, although Bartlett will still lead the team in the final.

As we look at where the value is in this match there is a few bets that are catching my eye. I think both teams will want to go out and grab there place in the Football League, so both teams to score at 5/6 looks appealing with Betfair. For me though I think Forest Green have enough to edge their way to victory, so for them to win including extra time and penalties at 10/11 with Betfair is where my money will go. In terms of the correct score in 90 minutes, I think it will be close so a 1-1 draw which is available at 5/1 with Betfair is what I will be backing.