The clubs have only met three times in the League and Grimsby have yet to record a win over the Reds.
Last season we won 3-2 at home with Jordan Roberts scoring twice and James Collins also on target. Omar Bogle replied twice for the visitors.
Collins scored again at Blundell Park last March when the teams drew 1-1. Back in October, the home side missed a penalty in a 0-0 draw in our first meeting of the current campaign.
We also met twice in 2010-11 when Grimsby were the only side not to lose to Crawley in our all-conquering Conference-winning season. They won 1-0 on the opening day at the Broadfield Stadium, when goalkeeper Michele Kuipers was sent off, and the teams drew 0-0 at Blundell Park in January 2011.
The Mariners are without four players because of injury this weekend. Jake Kean, Ben Davies, Danny Collins and James McKeown all miss out while Siriki Dembele is a doubt because of a back problem.
Grimsby haven’t won in their last 11 games but draws at Colchester a fortnight ago and at home to Cheltenham last Saturday suggest their fortunes are improving. Manager Russell Slade (pictured) is expecting a tough afternoon at the Checkatrade but believes his side can get a result. He said: “Crawley are in good form at the minute, and that will breed a lot of confidence within their football club.
“We all know what it will take. We have to work hard to create that momentum. Things can change, and let’s hope they can change on Saturday. Everyone knows it’s tough, but the boys have been working extremely hard and we know we are capable of doing it.”
Sussex is familiar territory for Grimsby boss Russell Slade. He joined Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2009 when the Seagulls were in danger of dropping into League One, but a victory over Stockport on the final day of the season kept them up. Since leaving the Seagulls in 2010 Slade has had spells with Leyton Orient, Cardiff City, Charlton and Coventry. This is his second spell in charge of the Mariners, having had 105 games there between 2004-06.
Jordan Roberts (hamstring) is Reds only injury doubt for Saturday’s game. The striker has missed the last three games but hopes to be back in contention.
