Bradford City vs Grimsby Town Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: September 2, 2025 | University of Bradford Stadium | EFL Trophy | 19:30 BST

Following strong respective domestic campaigns for both sides so far, League One’s Bradford City play host to League Two’s Grimsby Town on Tuesday night, as the 2025/26 EFL Trophy gets underway. This is the first group stage match, where these clubs are operating in the Northern section in Group C alongside Doncaster Rovers and Everton U21’s.

Key Betting Tip: BTTS represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our algorithm.

Bradford vs Grimsby Predicted Lineups

Bradford Predicted XI: Sam Walker; Ciaran Kelly, Aden Baldwin, Joe Wright; Ibou Touray, Tommy Leigh, Max Power, Bradley Halliday; Will Swan, Stephen Humphrys; Tyreik Wright.

Graham Alexander will need to be wary of his team’s fitness, so may look to make some changes and rotate the squad. Kelly could come into replace Aden Baldwin in the back line, Josh Neufville could make way on the right wing for Bradley Halliday. In attack, Swan and Wright could also enter the fray, with George Lapslie and Bobby Pointon exiting.

Grimsby Predicted XI: Christy Pym; Jayden Sweeney, Tyrell Warren, Cameron McJannet, Harvey Rodgers; George McEachran; Charles Vernam, Evan Khouri, Kieran Green, Darragh Burns; Cameron Gardner.

As for David Artell’s side, they will still be ecstatic with their victory over Manchester United, however, Bristol Rovers then reminded them they can be beaten, as they lost their first competitive match of the season. As a result, we could see some changes for this game, with Sweeney, McEachran, Burns and Gardner coming in. This leaves Géza Turi, Reece Staunton, Justin Amaluzor, and Jake Kabia starting on the bench.

Bradford vs Grimsby Current League Standings

Six matches into the EFL League One campaign, and Bradford City remain unbeaten this season, winning four of those matches as they sit in third place on 14 points. Currently the best achieving side of those promoted last season too, it has been a strong start for the Bantams.

As for Grimsby, they suffered their first defeat of the season on the weekend, however, are still having a respectable campaign so far. They currently reside just outside the play-off places on 11 points from their opening six games but sit just three points behind first placed Gillingham.

Bradford vs Grimsby Head-to-Head Timeline

The Mariners do not have a good record in this fixture, winning just two of their 12 meetings to Bradford’s five, with five draws too. They have met in the EFL Trophy before, in 2023 where Bradford came out on top.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• January 4, 2025: Bradford 3-1 Grimsby (League Two)
• August 31, 2024: Grimsby 2-1 Bradford (League Two)
• August 13, 2024: Grimsby p1-1 Bradford (EFL Cup)
• April 1, 2024: Grimsby 1-1 Bradford (League Two)
• October 10, 2023: Grimsby 1-2 Bradford (EFL Trophy)

The last meeting fell back in January, where the Bantams won a four goal thriller at the University of Bradford Stadium. Goals from the midfield trio of Lewis Richards, Alexander Pattison, and Richard Smallwood made McJannet’s strike count for zip.

Bradford and Grimsby Recent Matches Analysis

Bradford Last 5 Matches:

• Bradford 3-2 Wimbledon (H) – League One
• Bradford 3-0 Stoke City (A) – EFL Cup
• Bradford 1-1 Peterborough (A) – League One
• Bradford 2-1 Stockport County (A) – League One
• Bradford 2-1 Luton (H) – League One

Bradford have been on a brilliant run of form lately, winning four of their last five matches, drawing the other. They have not lost at all since the penultimate match of their League Two season last campaign. In this recent time they have been scoring well too, with 11 goals.

Grimsby Last 5 Matches:

• Grimsby 0-1 Bristol Rovers (H) – League Two
• Grimsby p2-2 Man United (H) – EFL Cup
• Grimsby 1-1 Accrington (A) – League Two
• Grimsby 1-0 Walsall (A) – League Two
• Grimsby 2-1 Newport (H) – League Two

Despite they were still running off the high from last week, the Mariners did drop their first three points of the campaign on Saturday. Aside from this they have netted 10 in the league so far and look like they have a solid chance of winning every game they play.

Bradford vs Grimsby Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a both teams to score victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Bradford vs Grimsby Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: BTTS - Recent form suggests confidence in a high scoring match. This market has been ticked off in each of their last seven head-to-head meetings. Moreover, Bradford and Grimsby have both made just two clean sheets each in all competitions so far and have failed to score just once.

Key Players to Watch: Bradford vs Grimsby

Will Swan (Bradford City): When Swan has been given an opportunity this season, he has taken it with both hands. He has scored three goals in League One already despite only starting once and having played 198 minutes.

Evan Khouri (Grimsby Town): Despite his age he is making that midfield his own for the Mariners. Three goal contributions in just six matches, he is ranking high in most attacking metrics while also tracking back and contributing defensively.

Bradford vs Grimsby Match Facts

Referee: TBC

Stadium Information: Located in Yorkshire, specifically Bradford the University of Bradford Stadium can hold up to almost 25,000 spectators.

Bradford vs Grimsby: Final Prediction

Bradford 3-1 Grimsby