Exeter City vs Grimsby Town: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted lineups and ones to watch

Exeter City host struggling Grimsby Town at St. James Park on Saturday afternoon.

EXETER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Archie Collins of Exeter City (r) celebrates with his team mates after scoring his side's first goal during the Sky Bet League Two match between Exeter City and Stevenage at St James Park on January 23, 2021 in Exeter, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

By Tom Horner20 February 2021 12:41 BST

Two teams at opposite ends of the table meet as seventh-placed Exeter City face 24th placed Grimsby Town.

The Grecians come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw away at Newport County. Alex Hartridge and Ryan Bowman were both sent off for Exeter in the first half before they conceded a late equaliser to cancel out Bowman's 22nd-minute strike. Exeter are four points off the automatic promotion places and will be hoping to pick up a relatively straight forward victory on Saturday.

The Mariners have only picked up one victory since November and come into the game following a 1-0 away loss at Newport County. Grimsby are three points from safety but do have a game in hand on 22nd-placed Southend United.

Team news

Hartridge and Bowman are unavailable for Exeter due to their dismissals last weekend. This could lead to Matt Taylor bringing in Josh Key and Joel Randall. Rory McArdle is out after suffering from a serious gash so it is likely to be Pierce Sweeney and Tom Parkes starting as the centre-back partnership.

Grimsby manager Paul Hurst has a full squad to pick from with no injuries or suspensions.

Predicted lineups

Exeter City (4-4-1-1):

Andresson, Caprice, Sweeney, Parkes, Sparkes; Key, Collins, Atangana, Randall; Jay; Seymour.

Grimsby Town (4-4-2):

Eastwood; Hewitt, Waterfall, Menayese, Bunney; Adams, Matete, Clifton, Mizouni; Payne, Hanson.

Ones to watch

Matt Jay

Exeter's attacking-midfielder has bagged 13 goals and five assists in 29 league appearances this season. A very selfless player, Jay likes to bring opponents into play with his brilliant passing ability and build-up play. He is also a versatile player with him featuring both as a striker and a midfielder this season.

Joe Bunney

The Grimsby left-back signed from Hartlepool in January and put in an impressive performance on his debut away at Newport. The full-back uses his height to dominate aerial battles and can also play as a striker when required. He could be the key to Grimsby's potential survival this season.