With an FA Cup fifth-round spot on the line, fourth-tier Grimsby Town and top-flight Wolverhampton Wanderers will square off at Blundell Park on Sunday.
The visitors blew fourth-tier opposition away at the previous stage, thrashing Shrewsbury to reach the fourth round, while their hosts have navigated through three home ties, most recently scraping past Weston-super-Mare.
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Grimsby Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers prediction: Wolves out to avoid major upset
Key stats
- Grimsby are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, winning seven and drawing three.
- Grimsby have scored 10 goals in their three FA Cup ties so far this season.
- Wolves are winless in their last six Premier League matches, scoring just twice in the process.
Correct score prediction: Grimsby Town 1-4 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Despite their Premier League struggles, Wolves were able to dispose of fourth-tier Shrewsbury in the previous round, and while a trip to Grimsby may be a sterner test, as Manchester United learned in the Carabao Cup, Rob Edwards's side should still have enough to get over the line in relatively comfortable fashion.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Wolverhampton Wanderers tipped for third straight fifth round appearance
- HOME: 19/4 (5.75) – 17.4%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 1/2 (1.50) – 66.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, bookmakers give Wolves a clear edge with a 66.7% chance to win the tie in normal time.
The hosts are given a 17.4% chance to win in 90 minutes, while a draw to take the tie to extra time is seen as 21.7% likely by bookmakers. Also, feel free to check out our Today’s betting tips page, as well as our FA Cup predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First H2H in almost 23 years
These two teams' last H2H came in a then League Division One clash in April 2003, with Wolves winning to complete a double that season.
Historically, Grimsby have managed 27 H2H victories to Wolves' 39.
Grimsby Town preview: Injuries continue and Cook cup-tied
Grimsby will remain without Christy Pym, Sam Lavelle, Doug Tharme, Cameron Gardner and Jason Svanthorsson on Sunday, as they are confined to the treatment room.
Striker Andy Cook, who returned to the club on loan in January, is also ineligible, having already featured in the FA Cup for Bradford this season.
Predicted lineup: Smith (GK); Rodgers, Kacurri, McJannet, Staunton; McEachran, Walker, Green; Burns, Kabia, Sellars-Fleming
Last five results:
- 11/02/26: Grimsby 1-0 Accrington Stanley (League Two)
- 07/02/26: Newport 0-0 Grimsby (League Two)
- 31/01/26: Grimsby 2-2 MK Dons (League Two)
- 27/01/26: Colchester 0-1 Grimsby (League Two)
- 24/01/26: Cheltenham 0-2 Grimsby (League Two)
Wolverhampton Wanderers preview: Should Edwards rotate?
After a midweek goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, Rob Edwards may shuffle his Wolves squad somewhat on Sunday but should still field a relatively strong starting with wins hard to come by this season.
Toti, Andre and Hwang Hee-Chan will remain sidelined by injuries.
The previous round against fourth-tier Shrewsbury Town saw a strong Wolves team put out, with the likes of Tolu Arokodare, Mateus Mane, Joao Gomes and Andre Gomes likely to feature as a result, while new striker Adam Armstrong is cup-tied having played in the previous round for Southampton.
Predicted lineup: Johnstone (GK); Doherty, Bueno, Krejci; Tchatchoua, A Gomes, J Gomes, Wolfe; Mane, Arokodare & Bellegarde
Last five results:
- 11/02/26: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Wolves (Premier League)
- 07/02/26: Wolves 1-3 Chelsea (Premier League)
- 31/01/26: Wolves 0-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)
- 24/01/26: Manchester City 2-0 Wolves (Premier League)
- 18/01/26: Wolves 0-0 Newcastle (Premier League)
Player to watch: Tolu Arokodare
Following the deadline day departure of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Wolves are left looking for a key man up front, and summer signing Tolu Arokodare will hope to step up as their main goal threat.
With Adam Armstrong, who arrived after Strand Larsen's exit, the Nigerian international will likely have the chance to impress having managed just two goals in the Premier League so far this season and scored and assisted in a cameo off the bench against Shrewsbury in the previous round.