Two teams that could really do with a win, albeit for very different reasons, will go head-to-head at Blundell Park on Thursday as Grimsby Town play host to Harrogate Town.
The home side are currently in the hunt for a place in the promotion playoffs, while their visitors are seeking to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Imago
Wins over Accrington Stanley and Morecambe by a combined score of 8-2 at the start of December raised some expectations of a fruitful festive period for Grimsby, but defeats against Crewe Alexandra and Swindon Town since then have dampened the mood.
Given their level of dominance against Crewe, David Artell's men were perhaps a tad unlucky to have come away empty-handed, but their performance against Swindon last time out was deservingly punished via a 3-1 defeat.
The Mariners fell behind after just two minutes to Ollie Clarke's opener and saw their deficit double four minutes shy of the half-time whistle thanks to Kabongo Tshimanga's strike, after which the forward added to his tally just past the hour mark to wrap things up.
With just seven points separating second place from 11th in the League Two table, eighth-place Grimsby remain well and truly alive in the race for a playoff spot, but every point dropped from here on out could prove costly given how tight the standings are.
Still yet to suffer three league defeats in a row this term, Thursday's hosts will be hopeful of keeping that run going, although their record against the away side is a cause for concern with five defeats from the most recent six encounters.
© Imago
In keeping with what has largely been a Jekyll and Hyde campaign so far, Harrogate were beaten for the fourth consecutive game in a routine 2-0 defeat to Walsall in Saturday's affair at Exercise Stadium.
Nathan Lowe's opener, coupled with Josh March's sending off four minutes apart, left Simon Weaver's men in a deep hole at half time, and any hopes of a fightback were put to bed 22 minutes from time by Albert Adomah.
Since ending November with three straight wins, the Sulphurites have embarked on their longest losing streak of the season which has sucked them into a bit of a relegation scrap, with only two points now separating them from the bottom three.
Currently with the third-fewest goals scored (17) and the fourth-most conceded (32) in the division, Harrogate are in need of significant improvement at both ends of the pitch as they look to spark a renaissance heading into the second half of the season.
Having won just one of their last nine matches away from home ahead of Thursday's affair, the visitors have it all to do in the first of two straight matches on the road to end the year, after which a trip to Fleetwood Town awaits.
Team News
© Imago
Josh March is ineligible to play any part for Harrogate Town here after he received an early bath for two bookable offences against Walsall.
March's absence has opened the door for an immediate return to the starting lineup for Jack Muldoon, who had to make do with a cameo appearance just over half an hour last time out.
Following his consolation strike against Swindon, Danny Rose has now been directly involved in a quarter of Grimsby's 28 goals so far, making him one to keep an eye on.
Charles Vernam has been without an appearance for the home side since September due to a knee injury, which will keep the forward out of Thursday's contest as well.
Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Wright; Hume, McJannett, Rodgers, Cass; McEachran, Davies, Green; Barrington, Luker, Rose
Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Sims, Moon, O'Connor, Foulds; Sutton, Cornelius; Dooley, Daly, Asare; Muldoon
We say: Grimsby Town 2-1 Harrogate Town
Both teams have racked up similar numbers on the defensive end of things, but Grimsby have been the vastly superior side going forward, and we are backing them to come away with maximum points at the sound of the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
