- Grimsby finished 78 points and in the League Two play-off places in 2025-26.
- Blackpool finished 13th in League One in all current competitions.
- Blackpool and Grimsby have met in all current competitions since 2016, with the Mariners winning one and drawing one in that tiny sample.
Tasty style clash at Blundell Park
Grimsby and Blackpool look set for an intriguing style clash at Blundell Park on Saturday with Ian Evatt's side looking to control the territory and overload in wide areas while David Artell's men will look to suffocate in the centre and counter at pace.
The Mariners have built themselves into a solid, workmanlike unit under Artell's leadership and are usually well organised and compact when the opposition have the ball. When they do get forward they offer a number of different threats, from their pace and trickery in wide areas to the livewire threat of Sullay Kaikai.
He can hurt teams with his pace and delivery, but also has the ability to provide the sort of spark that can cause a stretched out Blackpool back line problems. And with Cameron McJannet already proving his ability to step up with clutch goals - like his 94th-minute winner at Cambridge in the run-in - the hosts look dangerous.
Blackpool have the finishing power
Evatt's team usually sets up in a back-three system with wing-backs, although he has used the pre-season to play with different rotations. The Seasiders can be a well balanced and efficient side when all are clicking with Ashley Fletcher their main threat in the box after finishing as their top scorer in 2025-26.
It will be important for the hosts to keep the former Sunderland and Bristol City forward quiet and if this game does get a bit cagey, then the draw and penalties will definitely be in the picture in this EFL Cup first-round knockout.
Blackpool's greater squad depth and the league-quality of the talent Evatt has at his disposal makes them the slight favorite at 17/10, while Grimsby are too big at 71/50 and the draw at 5/2 is a tad too big too. The gap between the divisions looks like it should tell in the end, albeit only just, so 2-1 is the cleanest read of the correct score odds.
Opposing the home side looks a good play
Backing Both teams to score at 67/100 also has some appeal here as both sides should be willing to give it a go. Grimsby will be looking for an upset and are good enough to think they can get it with the sort of game they play while Blackpool will be wary of the counter. Christy Pym is a reliable last line for the home team and his ability to command his box and organise his defenders will be key when Blackpool are crossing in with such frequency.
