Gab Sutton weekly: Take the 5/4 about Grimsby making League Two's top seven

In his latest exclusive column for Odds Now, English Football League expert Gab Sutton (@GabSutton) explains why Grimsby make strong appeal at odds-against to finish in League Two's top seven come the season end.

After last season’s dice with the drop, Grimsby Town have made huge strides this year, under David Artell – stylistically, developmentally, and in terms of results.

Artell built at Crewe a reputation as a coach who nurtures and improves players, and while it’s been different for him at Blundell Park – he didn’t work with many of his players at academy level, and his footballing philosophy isn’t ingrained in the club’s DNA – he’s continued on similar lines.

Whether or not the Mariners reach the Play-Offs in 2024-25, they’ll finish the campaign with numerous players who have shot up in value: Denver Hume, George McEachran and Evan Khouri, to name just three, are all much more valuable assets in football now than they were last summer.

Conversely, recruits like Cameron McJannet and Jason Svanthorsson have enjoyed excellent debut seasons in Cleethorpes, and could be sold at a healthy profit, along with midfielder Geza David Turi, who signed in January.

Again, whether or not they attain a top seven spot, they’ve been playing the best football that’s been seen at Blundell Park for many years, thanks to keeping faith and patience with Artell’s progressive, process-driven approach.

Mariners ahead of schedule

The 44-year-old is a very honest person who likes to be straightforward with people, and let them know where they stand, but in a very calm way that invites other people’s perspectives.

By making players feel seen and heard, valuing them as people and not simply as footballers, Artell has been able to deliver progress at Grimsby ahead of schedule.

The match winning moment! 🔂#GTFC pic.twitter.com/BjvmrISSXO

— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) March 23, 2025

It’s partly because the standard of League Two hasn’t been high as some might have expected, with the bigger or wealthier clubs like Carlisle, Tranmere, Gillingham, MK Dons and Swindon all either having off-field issues, or failing to live up to expectation.

So, Town go into the final eight games occupying that final Play-Off spot, and only five points off the automatic promotion places, with everyone other than Bradford above them out of form – and even the Bantams had lost back-to-back games before thumping Colchester 4-1.

Finding form as others falter

The U’s represent Grimsby’s strongest play-off challengers from the outside, having lost just three games in 25 since the start of November, with only Bradford having accrued more points in the same time period.

However, Crewe, tied with ColU on 58 points, one behind Grimsby, have dropped off somewhat with no wins in four, struggling for a clinical edge in front of goal.

And, there could be a possibility that one of the teams currently above the Mariners drop out of the top seven, amid the heat of the run-in – with almost all struggling for form.

With that in mind, Grimsby are an attractive price at 5/4 with BetVictor for a top seven finish.

Gab Sutton's weekly EFL outright betting tip for Friday, March 28, 2025