Oldham Athletic

vs

Grimsby Town

Preview

Oldham Athletic

• Oldham Athletic are unbeaten in their last five matches (W4, D1), with both of their last two home matches won to nil.
• Micky Mellon has had his Latics side play an astute, pragmatic style since taking over at the club in October 2023, with the team usually lining up with a back three and wing-backs in order to maintain a solid shape, defend compact and create plenty of width on the break.

Grimsby Town

• Grimsby Town are seventh in League Two with 56 points from 35 games, keeping them in the promotion playoff race, but have lost one of their last two away matches (W1, L1).
• Grimsby Town, who sit seventh in the league with 56 points, have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five.
• While Grimsby also prioritise a pressing game and matchup, David Artell’s Mariners are more attack-minded and use the ball more fluently when going forward and shifting between the thirds, but will press just as ferociously when out of possession to try and win the ball back high up the pitch.

Key Players

• Michael Mellon has seven goals in 16 League Two appearances this season.
• Charles Vernam leads the way for Grimsby with nine in 35.
• Mike Fondop-Talum has found the net three times in Oldham’s last five games.

Betting Insights

• With the Latics averaging just 1.18 goals per game at home, the bet on under 2.5 goals looks a good one at 1.83.
• With Oldham not having conceded in their last two at Boundary Park and Grimsby having conceded 22 goals in 17 away fixtures, both teams to score no is a very good alternative at 2.04.

Prediction

• Oldham have been much more compact since Mellon’s appointment and Grimsby have enjoyed success in their recent games, but have also played in games where they have struggled to break down teams who have sat back and played compact.
• With the Latics having won to nil in their last two at home and Grimsby having sometimes failed to find a way through away, an Oldham win with a shutout looks the most likely outcome.