Notts County vs Grimsby Prediction & Betting Tips (22 September)

Notts County host Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane on Tuesday 22 September 2026 (7:00pm BST) in EFL Trophy Northern Group F, a first competitive meeting since Grimsby’s 1-0 League Two win at Meadow Lane in February 2026. The Magpies begin their Trophy campaign after a mixed League One start, having beaten Burton Albion 2:1 and drawn at Luton Town 2:2, so home rhythm and squad rotation will be tested by an organized Mariners side.

European odds make Notts County the clear favourite at around 1.90, reflecting their League One status and Meadow Lane advantage, but Grimsby arrive unbeaten in six across all competitions and have made a habit of tight away performances such as 2:2 at Accrington and 0:0 at Walsall. With Notts conceding in recent league games while Grimsby have kept matters compact, the market favours the hosts without making this a formality.

For the 2026/2027 season, Notts County’s key group includes James Belshaw in goal, James Gibbons, Jacob Bedeau, Lucas Ness and Nick Tsaroulla in defence, Conor Grant, Ollie Cooper, Darius Lipsiuc, Jack Evans and Scott Robertson in midfield, and Callum Roberts, Luka Smyth, Maziar Kouhyar, Daniel Kanu and Emile Acquah as attacking options. Grimsby’s squad features Harvey Cartwright and Christy Pym in goal, Harvey Rodgers, Maldini Kacurri, Cameron McJannet, Jayden Sweeney and Edon Pruti across the back, Kieran Green, Cian Doyle, Géza Dávid Turi, Jamie Walker, Charles Vernam and Justin Amaluzor in midfield, plus Andy Cook, Iwan Morgan, Josh Andrews and Sonny Finch as the main forward threats.

Our prediction is Notts County 3:1 Grimsby Town: the hosts have the deeper League One squad, more goal threats from Roberts, Cooper, Smyth and Kanu, and should create enough chances to pull away even if Cook and Vernam make Grimsby dangerous on the counter. Expect an open second half once Notts County’s possession game stretches the visitors, with the Trophy tie finishing 3:1 to the home s