Salford vs Grimsby Prediction: Mariners to make second leg awkward for Ammies

Grimsby Town took the lead inside the first minute of their League 2 play-off semi-final first leg with Salford City last Sunday, but the Ammies hit back three minutes later, and by the interval, the Mariners were 2-1 down at Blundell Park.

The score remained that way until the final whistle, leaving Grimsby with a lot of work to do in Friday’s second leg at the Peninsula Stadium (19:15 BST, Sky Sports Football). Below are my Salford vs Grimsby predictions, alongside all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Jay Bird (Achilles), Michael Rose (leg), Jorge Grant, Kadeem Harris, Ossama Ashley and Zach Awe (all unspecified) are out injured for Karl Robinson's Salford.

Football Odds

Cameron Gardner (hamstring), Evan Khouri, George McEachran, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming and Doug Tharme (all unspecified) are among those out injured for David Artell's Grimsby.

Salford vs Grimsby Odds

Salford are 6/5 to do the play-off double over Grimsby, implying a 45.5% probability of success, with Grimsby 21/10, or a 32.3% chance, to win in regulation time on Friday.

The draw, which would send the tie to extra-time in Salford, is priced at 5/2.

First Half Total Goals 2-Way - Over 1.5 @ 7/4

All three goals in Salford's 2-1 win at Blundell Park last week were scored in the first half; the first in the opening minute, the second in the fourth, and the third in the 40th.

Today's Football Fixtures

All three games between the two teams this season have seen at least two first-half goals; Grimsby struck in the first and 31st minute of their 2-0 win at the Peninsula Stadium in October, and scored their three goals in a 3-1 March victory at Blundell Park in the 33rd, 39th and 42nd minute.

Both sides will be looking to make fast starts, with the visitors eager to get back into the tie, and the hosts looking to use the energy created by their crowd, so I'm predicting at least a couple of goals before half-time on Friday.

Draw No Bet - Grimsby @ 6/5

Grimsby may have lost last week, but they're still ahead in the head-to-head record this season, winning home and away in the regular campaign.

When the sides met at the Peninsula last October, the Ammies failed to even get on the scoresheet, going down 2-0.

Salford have won six of their last seven home matches (D1), but Grimsby have won three of their last five on the road (D1, L1), and it's the visitors who will be going all out for victory on Friday, with a draw enough to send Robinson's side through to the final.

Grimsby only finished three points behind Salford in the League 2 table, conceding one less goal and scoring 13 more, so they're a side that can outgun teams, while remaining fairly solid at the back.

I'll take an away win here, but only with insurance.

Football betting tips with Betfred Insights.