Grimsby vs Wolves

The magic of the FA Cup returns to Cleethorpes this Sunday, February 15, 2026, as League Two’s Grimsby Town welcomes Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for a Fourth Round clash. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:30 GMT at Blundell Park.

For the Mariners, this is a historic occasion—their first time hosting Premier League opposition since 2003. Wolves, meanwhile, travel to the Lincolnshire coast under the guidance of Rob Edwards, looking to avoid a major upset while balancing their top-flight survival efforts.

Match Information

Grimsby Town: The Mariners' Big Day

David Artell’s Grimsby Town have been the "Giant-Killers in Waiting" after a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Weston-super-Mare in the previous round. Sitting comfortably in League Two, the Mariners have been in solid form, unbeaten in their last five matches, including an impressive run of defensive displays before a recent 2–2 draw with MK Dons.

Team News and Selection:

• Clean Bill of Health: Remarkably, Grimsby enters this fixture with no reported injuries or suspensions, allowing Artell to name his strongest possible XI.

• The "Kabia" Threat: Jaze Kabia has been a standout performer in recent weeks, and his pace will be vital if Grimsby hopes to catch Wolves on the break.

• Midfield Engine: Kieran Green, the hero of the Third Round with his late winning header, will anchor the midfield.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Wright; Cass, Rodgers, McJannet, Hume; Green, Khouri, McEachran; Kabia, Rose, Vernam.

Wolves: Navigating the Banana Skin

Rob Edwards' Wolves side arrives at Blundell Park after a heavy 2–0 defeat to Manchester City and a frustrating home loss to Bournemouth. While they demolished Shrewsbury 6–1 in the Third Round, their recent Premier League form has been patchy, putting pressure on the squad to deliver a professional performance to avoid a cup exit.

Team News and Selection:

• Defensive Absences: Toti Gomes is confirmed out with an injury, though Yerson Mosquera and Santiago Bueno provide Premier League experience in the heart of the defense.

• Forward Options: High-profile striker Tolu Arokodare is expected to lead the line, supported by the creativity of Hwang Hee-chan.

• Rotation: Edwards may hand starts to Matt Doherty and Hugo Bueno to keep the squad fresh for midweek league duties.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): José Sá; Doherty, Mosquera, S. Bueno, H. Bueno; João Gomes, Angel Gomes; Hwang, Mateus Mané, Adam Armstrong; Arokodare.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Historic Meeting: This is the first meeting between the two sides since a 2003 Division One clash at Blundell Park.

• Mariners' Momentum: Grimsby has won 6 of their last 7 matches across all competitions.

• Wolves' Scoring Streak: Wolves have scored in every cup game this season, including a 6-goal haul in the previous round.

• Blundell Park Atmosphere: The record attendance at Grimsby (31,657) was actually set against Wolves back in 1937—expect a similarly electric, though smaller, sell-out crowd on Sunday.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

David Artell is expected to set Grimsby up in a compact 4-3-3, prioritizing defensive discipline and looking for Charles Vernam and Jaze Kabia to exploit any lapses in the Wolves backline. Wolves will undoubtedly dominate possession, but the tight pitch at Blundell Park often acts as a leveler for technical Premier League sides.

If Grimsby can survive the first 30 minutes, the pressure on Wolves will mount. However, the depth of talent available to Rob Edwards—specifically the physical presence of Arokodare—should eventually see the top-flight side through.

Final Score Prediction: Grimsby Town 0–2 Wolves