Grimsby Town v Notts County: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

The League Two promotion race is tightening by the week and both Grimsby Town and Notts County, who clash at Blundell Park on Tuesday, still believe they can finish in the automatic spots.

The Mariners moved to within six points of the top three with a 3-1 victory at table-toppers Walsall on Saturday, while County’s grip on a top-six slot was loosened by AFC Wimbledon, who beat Stuart Maynard’s men 2-0 at Cherry Red Records Stadium.

But the Magpies are only four points behind third-placed Doncaster Rovers with a game in hand.

However, this match is a big chance for the hosts to overhaul County as David Artell’s side are now just two points behind after embarking on an eight-game unbeaten run.

Grimsby Town v Notts County betting tips and predictions

Grimsby to win - 11/8

Grimsby have all the momentum coming into this clash, having extended their unbeaten streak with Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win at Poundland Bescot Stadium.

The Mariners recovered from a bad start against the Saddlers, who opened the scoring after just six minutes.

On-loan Luton winger Jayden Luker brought Grimsby level with a strike from the edge of the box after a clever free-kick routine, before captain Danny Rose drilled them ahead from a penalty.

Luker then sealed the points in the second half with a breakaway finish to leave Grimsby breathing down the necks of the top six.

Artell’s side appear to have the right blend of fight and finesse to move up a level, which is remarkable considering they finished 21st in the division last season.

The Mariners are among the best exponents of set-pieces in League Two and regularly cause problems in the air, which County will need to combat.

The Magpies’ last two opponents, Barrow and Wimbledon, have both scored goals from corners.

County have won only one of their last six league games and their promotion bid is in danger of fizzling out.

Three defeats during that run have left them bemoaning refereeing decisions, but the real issues to address are their defensive mix-ups and reliance on one man for the bulk of their goals. 

Alassana Jatta to score - 5/2

Notts County’s top scorer Alassana Jatta is such an important figure for Maynard’s team, with only Bromley’s Michael Cheek ahead of the Gambian in the League Two goalscoring charts.

He scored in consecutive games at the turn of the month, with his winner securing a vital three points at home to Tranmere Rovers and his 89th-minute leveller good enough to earn a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town.

Jatta’s goals have dried up in the last couple of games, but he remains a major threat from open play.

The 26-year-old, who scored five goals in six league starts after joining from Viborg midway through last season, has hit the woodwork in each of the Magpies’ recent defeats.

His close-range header came down off the underside of the bar against Barrow while a shot on the run cannoned off the inside of the post at Wimbledon.

Jatta has the pace and power to cause Grimsby’s defence, that opened up to allow Walsall’s early opener on Saturday, a headache or two on Tuesday. 

Cameron McJannet to score a header - 33/1

Only Bromley have scored more headed goals than Grimsby in League Two and the Mariners should certainly be targeting the aerial route against County this week.

The fact that the Magpies have shipped headed goals from corners in their last two games will not have escaped Artell and his staff’s attention.

Grimsby’s towering centre-back trio of Doug Tharne (1), Cameron McJannet (2) and Harvey Rodgers (4) have scored seven goals between them this season.

Tharne is injured at the moment and, while Rodgers has been on the mark with a nice finish against Cheltenham Town recently, McJannet is their best header of the ball in both boxes.

The former Derry City defender scored some stupendous goals from set-pieces during his time in the League of Ireland and he is quickly establishing a reputation as a colossus at corners in Grimsby.

McJannet, who bagged a stooping header at the near post against Bradford City in January, is a big price to pounce in the air again on Tuesday.

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Grimsby Town v Notts County odds

Grimsby Town - 11/8
Draw - 23/10
Notts County - 15/8

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.