Grimsby Town vs Mansfield Town Predictions

As we go into the new year, there is still plenty left to be decided at both ends of the table and getting the year off to a perfect start with three points will be seen as an excellent way to build some momentum early in 2019. This New Years Day sees two in from rivals face off against each other as Grimsby Town welcome Mansfield Town to Blundell Park.

Grimsby Town are one of the form sides in the division at the moment as they have won five of their previous six outings. Despite being considered the underdogs for the difficult trip to Exeter, the Mariners overcame the odds and, after having a man sent off, the one man deficit, to claim another excellent three points. The hosts have had plenty of difficulty finding the back of the net but their recent improvement in form has coincided with their strikers finding their form and in those same six matches, they have managed to score an impressive 15 times.

Mansfield played host to Bury on Boxing Day in what was always expected to be a tight and tense game that could have gone either way. There wasn’t much between the two clubs as they headed in for the half time break goalless, but a strong second half showing saw them claim a 2-1 victory. Their form did not continue, however, as the weekend’s clash with Swindon Town saw the sides play out a drag goalless draw, something which Swindon should be proud of as they are the first side in 10 League Two matches to keep the Stags goalless.

A local rivalry can often prove to be a pretty fiery affair, and with much more than bragging rights at stake, we are expecting this one to be a hard fought and entertaining contest. Given the importance of three points and the fact that neither side has been in poor shape in front of goal of late, we think that combining both teams to score with there to be over 2.5 goals scored represents an excellent chance of a decent return.