Grimsby vs Salford prediction, betting tips and bet builder – Can Kabia fire Mariners to victory?

The League Two play-offs begin this weekend as Grimsby host Salford in the first leg of their semi final clash at Blundell Park on Sunday afternoon.

Grimsby v Salford best bets

Grimsby v Salford head to head overview

• Date: Sunday 10th May 2026
• Kick-off: 3pm
• Venue: Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, UK
• How to watch: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Ultra HDR
• Referee: Matt Corlett
• Last meeting: Grimsby 3-1 Salford (Mar 2026, League Two)
• Last 10 matches: Grimsby – 5 wins; Salford – 3 wins; Draws – 2
• Favourite to win: Grimsby – 11/10 with Tote

Grimsby v Salford predicted lineups

Grimsby (4-1-4-1): Smith (GK); Warren, Kacurri, McJannet, Sweeney; Turi; Amaluzor, Green, Oduor, Kabia; Cook

Salford (4-4-2): Young (GK); Turton, Oluwo, Cooper, Garbutt; Longelo, Austerfield, Butcher, Ehibhatiomhan; Udoh, Graydon

Grimsby v Salford prediction

Salford will be aiming to bounce back after narrowly missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season, finishing just one point short after being held to a draw. Grimsby, meanwhile, will be hoping to build a first leg advantage before the return fixture in Manchester next week.

Despite ending the regular season in seventh place following last weekend’s draw at Tranmere, Grimsby come into the play-offs in stronger form than their opponents. David Artell’s side have won three of their last four matches, scoring 10 goals in the process.

Two of those victories came against sides occupying play-off positions at the time, capping off an impressive end to the campaign which saw the Mariners win seven of their final 10 league games.

Grimsby have also been formidable at Blundell Park, losing just once in their last 13 home league matches. They have won four of their last five on home soil, including an emphatic 4-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Swindon in their final home game of the regular season.

Salford travel to Lincolnshire having suffered just one defeat in their last seven matches, but they will still feel frustrated after missing the chance to secure automatic promotion. Karl Robinson’s side could only manage a goalless draw against 22nd-placed Crawley on the final day.

The Ammies have spent the majority of the season in the play-off places, dropping out of the top seven for only one week since breaking into it in late November.

However, despite falling just a point short of the automatic promotion spots, Salford head into Sunday’s clash with only one win from their last three away matches and having lost five of their last six meetings with Grimsby.

Grimsby are now just three games away from a return to the third tier for the first time since 2004, while Salford are aiming to reach League One for the first time in the club’s history.

The Mariners have the benefit of recent history on their side in terms of recent meetings between the two sides, whilst also head into the play offs in slightly the better form – a 2-1 home win possibly the most likely outcome on Sunday.

Grimsby v Salford betting tips

Grim day for Salford

Grimsby have won five of their last six games against Salford, and finished the campaign with four victories in their last five outings, compared with the Ammies who have won only one of their last four on the road and will need some picking up after missing out on automatic promotion after failing to beat 22nd placed Crawley last week.

Mariners can count on Kabia

Only one player in League Two this season score more goals than Grimsby forward Jaze Kabia, whose run of nine goals in his last nine starts for the Mariners has taken him to 22 goals in all competitions.

The Irishman, who joined the club from non league Truro in the summer, scored a hat trick on his last start in a play-off six pointer against Swindon in Lincolnshire side’s final home game of the campaign.

Luke in the book

No player expected to start on Sunday afternoon has been carded on more occasions this season than Salford captain Luke Garbutt, who has been on the receiving end of seven cautions as well as a sending off this season.

The left back will in for a busy afternoon against the second highest scorers in the league.

Grimsby v Salford latest odds

Find the latest Grimsby v Salford betting odds here, odds courtesy of Tote and are subject to change.

• Grimsby – 11/10
• Draw – 12/5
• Salford – 11/5

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