Notts County face off against Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane on Saturday afternoon, in the second round of League Two fixtures.
The hosts are yet to get a point on the board, losing away at Sutton United on the opening day, while the visitors drew at home against AFC Wimbledon in their first match.Notts County head into their first EFL season since the 2018-19 campaign fresh off the back of a phenomenal promotion-winning season in the National League, amassing a total of 107 points in the regular season before being Chesterfield on penalties in the playoff final.
Although it is very early days, the Magpies have not got off to the best of starts since returning to the fourth tier, suffering a 5-1 defeat away at Sutton United on the opening day, which leaves them bottom of the table.
Luke Williams‘s side made life difficult for themselves, with goalkeeper Aidan Stone being sent off inside 15 minutes, at which point they were already 1-0 down, and they went on to suffer a heavy defeat at Gander Green Lane.
Notts County have since been in action against Lincoln City in the EFL Cup, and they were once again reduced to 10 men, with Aden Baldwin picking up a second yellow card in the second half, which meant the Imps held on to pick up a 2-0 victory.
The Magpies’ start to the season has been less than ideal, but they have the chance to rectify things this weekend, against the side they lost against in the 2022 National League play off quarter-final.
Indeed, Grimsby Town ran out 2-1 winners against their opponents this weekend in the second before last, en route to their promotion back to the EFL, and they have since gone on to solidify themselves as a League Two side.
Grimsby finish 11th in the table last season, while also progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, so manager Paul Hurst is likely to be very happy with their previous campaign, and he will be hoping they can kick on and compete for promotion this season.
However, the Mariners are yet to score a goal so far this term, playing out a 0-0 draw at home against AFC Wimbledon in their first League Two game last weekend, before exiting the EFL Cup at the first round stage on Tuesday night.
Hurst’s side failed to pose much of a threat away at Mansfield Town, losing 2-0, with Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates getting on the scoresheet for the hosts, and the manager will no doubt want to see a much-improved attacking display this weekend.
Notts County will be without Stone due to the goalkeeper’s suspension, meaning Sam Slocombe should get the nod between the sticks, while Baldwin also misses out due to the red card he sustained last time out, so Connell Rawlinson is likely to return in defence.
Geraldo Bajrami was withdrawn after just 11 minutes against Lincoln after picking up a knock, so John Bostock is poised to start in central midfield.
Macaulay Langstaff has recently signed a new contract committing him to the Magpies until 2027, and the 2022-23 National League top scorer will lead the line, likely being joined by David McGoldrick, who has scored Notts County’s only goal so far this season.
Grimsby made a few changes on Tuesday night, with young goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright starting between the sticks and Gavan Holohan making his first start of the season in midfield after missing the opening game.
The latter could well keep his place in the side, but Cartwright is likely to drop out for Jake Eastwood, and Arthur Gnahoua may also drop out of the starting XI, with Hurst potentially returning to a front two of Abobaker Eisa and Danny Rose.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Slocombe; Brindley, Rawlinson, Cameron; Nemane, Palmer, Bostock, O’Brien, Jones; McGoldrick, Langstaff
Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Mullarkey, Rodgers, Maher, Driscoll-Glennon; Clifton, Holohan, Conteh, Vernam; Rose, Eisa
We say: E 1-0 Grimsby Town
Notts County should be eager to kickstart their campaign with a victory in front of their own fans this weekend, in what is the first EFL match at Meadow Lane since 2019, and we think they will be able to get the job done.
Although it is still very early days, Grimsby Town have failed to score so far this season, putting in two sub-par performances, which they cannot afford to do against a side of the Magpies’ quality.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
