Grimsby vs Salford Prediction: Ammies aiming for victory

Salford ended the League Two regular season only a point off the automatic promotion places in fourth while Grimsby were only three points behind the Ammies in sixth.

The two sides meet in the first leg of the League Two play-off semi-finals and the market anticipates a closely-fought contest.

Salford ended the campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw at Crawley, while Grimsby also had to settle for a point at Tranmere on the final day but regular-season efforts may be left behind at Blundell Park.

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Grimsby are contending with a lengthy injury list and are without Cameron Gardner, Evan Khouri, Sam Lavelle, Jason Svanthorsson, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming and Douglas Tharme.

Ossama Ashley, Zach Awe and Benjamin Woodburn missed the end of the League Two regular season for Salford, who also have Thomas Edwards, Jay Bird and Michael Rose sidelined.

Match odds

Grimsby are 5/4 to forge a first-leg advantage on home turf, Salford are on offer at 21/10, and the draw is 12/5.

Over 2.5 goals is set at 10/11, while both teams to score can be backed at 8/11.

Salford to win @ 21/10

Salford’s 0-0 final-day draw at Crawley cost the Ammies automatic promotion, but Karl Robinson’s men had been finishing the regular season in excellent form and look capable of winning at Blundell Park.

The Ammies won eight of their final 12 matches of the campaign, with the only defeats coming in tricky ties at Crewe and Cambridge. Salford’s rock-solid defence conceded only five goals in their last 12 games and a defence that robust is always going to offer a chance of winning matches.

Clearly, goalscoring is a concern for Robinson’s men, but play-off matches are often tight closely-fought battles and defence could be key on Sunday.

Grimsby ended the campaign in good form too, but the Mariners ended the season with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Tranmere and their promotion push may have run out of steam.

David Artell has built a forward-thinking team, but Grimsby only just snuck into the play-offs and they may have run their race in the closing weekend of the season.

At 12/5 Salford look too big to ignore to take a first-leg semi-final advantage back to Moor Lane.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5

Salford’s rock-solid defence conceded only five goals in the final 12 games of the regular season and allowed only 51 in 46 League Two matches.

Of course, Grimsby are a good attacking unit, but the pressure of the play-offs doesn’t always lead to open and high-scoring matches and the Mariners could get drawn into a tight and cagey contest.

Salford have seen nine of their last 12 games go under 2.5 goals and that trend looks set to continue at Blundell Park.

Football betting tips with Betfred Insights.