Grimsby Town vs Brentford

Under the floodlights of Blundell Park, anticipation is building for Tuesday night’s EFL Cup fourth-round clash between Grimsby Town and Brentford, set to kick off at 19:45 BST on October 28, 2025. The fixture brings together two clubs from very different tiers of English football, as League Two’s Grimsby aim to upset Premier League opposition once again. The atmosphere around Cleethorpes is electric, with fans hopeful their side can reproduce the resilience and determination that have defined their cup run so far.

Heading into the match, Grimsby boss David Artell has little to worry about in terms of fitness. Reports from the club’s training sessions suggest that the Mariners have no major injuries, allowing Artell to select from a full-strength squad. Brentford, however, have a few concerns. Midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk remains doubtful after a minor knock, while Aaron Hickey and Paris Maghoma are both expected to sit out as a precaution. Given the congested fixture list, manager Keith Andrews is expected to rest several key starters and rely on younger or rotational players from the bench.

Tactically, Artell’s side will likely focus on maintaining structure and discipline, operating with a deep defensive block and relying on fast counterattacks and set pieces to trouble Brentford’s back line. The manager has often preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation, with high pressing only in key moments. On the other hand, Andrews’ Brentford are expected to adopt their usual fluid attacking approach, pressing high and using the width of the pitch to stretch Grimsby’s defense. The Bees may deploy Keane Lewis-Potter and Fábio Carvalho to exploit spaces behind the full-backs, with Vitaly Janelt controlling the tempo in midfield.

Media outlets in England have framed the game as a classic “David vs Goliath” meeting, yet they’ve been quick to remind fans that Grimsby have a history of upsetting higher-ranked teams in this very competition. Analysts have highlighted Brentford’s inconsistent cup performances this season, suggesting that a rotated squad could open the door for an upset. Local Lincolnshire newspapers have praised the Mariners’ defensive discipline, noting their ability to frustrate opponents and thrive under pressure in front of a home crowd.

In studio discussions, analysts have been split on predictions. Former players commenting ahead of kickoff believe Brentford’s technical superiority should see them through, but others argue that the magic of the cup and Blundell Park’s tight, windy conditions could make this a difficult night for the Premier League side. Tactical pundits have stressed that the first 20 minutes will be crucial—if Grimsby can keep things level early, the tension could swing in their favor. All signs point to an intriguing contest defined as much by mentality and patience as by pure footballing quality.

Watch and Download Grimsby Town vs Brentford full match replay and highlights, At Sunday, October 28, 2025. The match played at Blundell Parki, in EFL Cup, England.

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