Southampton look to avoid a cupset against Grimsby Town at St Mary’s Stadium in the Fifth Round of 2022-23 FA Cup.
Victory would see Southampton qualify for the Quarter-Finals for a third consecutive season, whilst Grimsby are looking to advance beyond this stage for the first time since 1938-39 season.
Team News
Mislav Orsic could feature for Southampton after he missed their last two matches with concussion, having previously been left out of the Saints’ prior two fixtures for tactical reasons.
Mohammed Salisu and Che Adams (both knock) are doubts but Alex McCarthy (ankle), Valentino Livramento (muscle) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
Grimsby could welcome Otis Khan back into contention following his recovery from a calf injury.
Harry Clifton will also feature despite suffering a knock to his back in their 2-2 draw against Leyton Orient at weekend.
George Lloyd and Mikey O’Neill are cup-tied whilst Owen Gallacher (calf) and Kieran Green (rib) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton host Grimsby at St Mary’s Stadium in a 7:15pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday 1 March, live on ITV4.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have lost one of five previous FA Cup meetings against Grimsby across three ties (W2, D2, L1), with their most recent tie in January 1978 seeing the Saints prevail after two replays.
- Grimsby drew 0-0 in their only previous visit to Southampton at the Saints’ former home – The Dell back in January 1978, which was the first of two replays between the team in that tie.
- Southampton have avoided defeat in their last six meetings against Grimsby in all competitions (W3, D3).
- Southampton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven FA Cup matches (W5, L2).
- Grimsby have scored twice in each of their two away matches in this season’s FA Cup (W1, D1).
Prediction
Despite their league woes with a battle for survival on their hands, Southampton have taken both cup competitions seriously this season and I do expect more of the same here against a team ranked three leagues below the Saints.
Ruben Seles’ Saints though will need to show more passion and creativity than they mustered up at Leeds last weekend, because their attack was simply weak whilst their defence wasn’t much better but Gavin Bazunu did a good job to limit their defeat to one goal with strong saves.
Grimsby meanwhile come into this game as underdogs but after stunning Luton in the last round and with nothing to play for in the midtable of League Two, these Mariners can afford to come out fighting which could worry Southampton if they can target the Saints’ vulnerable defence.
I though do expect the Saints to somehow find a way to avoid a cupset but this contest might not be as simple as many would think.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Grimsby
Result: Southampton 1-2 Grimsby
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