Grimsby Town vs Exeter City Predictions

After an awful run of form, Grimsby seem to have turned a corner and have won their last two matches in the league. The first of these wins was away at Carlisle. Grimsby excellently took advantage of their opponent’s shaky home form and won 1-0, thanks to a goal from defender Luke Hendrie. The team absorbed a lot of the Carlisle pressure and held their ground, despite being dominated, to secure three points for the first time since the second week of the season.

The positive run continued on Saturday with a 2-0 home win against Port Vale, with Wes Thomas scoring after 30 seconds to set them up for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Grimsby had less possession and chances but managed to double their lead in the second-half through JJ Hooper. It has meant there is finally some momentum behind Michael Jolley’s side after such a wretched run of form.

Throughout the month of September, Grimsby lost all five matches they played, scoring once in a home defeat to Morecambe and conceding 11 goals. The team’s organisation and style of play looked unclear, whilst they were absent of any attacking confidence, which left them mired in the relegation zone with just five points. These two wins have done much to change the complexion of the time and they can finally start to build up some more confidence.

In contrast, it has been a fantastic start to life for Exeter manager Matt Taylor, who took over in the summer from Paul Tisdale. His side sit in second place, with the club losing only two of their 13 league matches so far.

The team have been spearheaded by the goals of striker Jayden Stockley, who has nine goals already, with one assist, outscoring Harry Kane and Mo Salah with his 2018 total. It means he is the top scorer in the league and has showed his class during Exeter’s last two games. Stockley scored at the weekend in the 2-0 home win against Swindon, which turned out to be a comfortable victory for the hosts. Stockley was also the hero once more in Exeter’s other West County derby match against Yeovil the week before. Stockley grabbed a brace as he put Exeter ahead in the first ten minutes, then rescued a draw with a late goal to finish the match 2-2, after Yeovil had taken the lead.

Although the club lost their manager and several key players to MK Dons, such as captain Jordan Moore-Taylor and Robbie Simpson, the players that have remained have stepped up. Goalkeeper Christy Pym has looked a class above this season and is arguably the best goalkeeper in the division at the moment, whilst defender Pierce Sweeney has four goals and three assists already this season. The new signings have also integrated well, with striker Jon Forte also on four goals and Nicky Law bringing drive to the midfield.

It has meant Matt Taylor can implement a flexible style of play, with some good, passing football but also more direct if the team are losing, with Forte providing the perfect foil as a target-man. They look well placed to remain in the automatic promotion places but much rests on the shoulders of Jayden Stockley.

Indeed, Exeter face a stern test in facing Grimsby, who will be well-rest and full of confidence after back-to-back wins. With both teams showing strong attacking play in recent matches, we think backing both teams to score is a smart bet to make. In terms of a correct score, we think Exeter could just edge it with that extra bit of quality they possess in the likes of Stockley and Law, so a 2-1 correct score-line feels appropriate. This wouldn’t be the worst result for Grimsby, who would still be showing improvement over their thrashing by teams like Bury in previous matches.