Stafford Rangers host Grimsby Town in an FA Cup first-round tie on 8 November 2026 at 15:00. Graham Deakin's side earned their place in the competition with a 5-0 demolition of Gateshead and arrive in confident form at home, where they have won six of their last ten matches. Grimsby, a League Two side, represent a significant step up in quality for the hosts, but Stafford's attacking intent should test a Mariners defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five away games.
Grimsby arrive as the favourites on league standing alone. They have recorded back-to-back wins over Gillingham (4-1) and York City (5-2), displaying genuine attacking threat. Kieran Green is doubtful with a knock sustained in their last league outing, which could weaken their midfield depth. The visitors have scored in four of their last five away matches, but that defensive fragility on the road remains a genuine vulnerability.
Form and H2H
Stafford's home form reads W6/D3/L1 over their last ten matches, averaging 2.01 goals for and 0.90 against. Grimsby's away record shows W3/D2/L5 in the same period, with 1.60 goals scored and 1.40 conceded per game. The contrast is stark: Stafford are fortress at Marston Road, while Grimsby have struggled on their travels this season. Grimsby's attacking output remains consistent, but their inability to tighten up defensively away from home creates genuine openings for the hosts.
Best Bet
Stafford Rangers 2 - 3 Grimsby Town. The visitors possess superior league quality and attacking momentum, but Stafford's home strength and Grimsby's defensive leaks suggest a high-scoring encounter where the Mariners edge a thriller. Both teams have demonstrated attacking intent in recent weeks, and the combination of Stafford's home confidence and Grimsby's away vulnerability points to goals at both ends.
Odds to watch
1Win: Home 7.2 / Draw 5.1 / Away 1.34.
Gateshead
Halesowen Town
Gloucester City
York
Gillingham
Rochdale
Northampton
Port Vale
