Football – England – League Two
Sunday 10th May 2015 – Kickoff: 1935hrs
Sunday brings us the first leg of the play-off semi final between hosts Stevenage and visitors Southend United with both teams going into this evening’s clash on the back of last-day defeats.
Stevenage suffered a 2-0 defeat away at local rivals Luton Town but they’d already booked their place in the play-offs thanks to an earlier run of seven matches without defeat, which included wins over relegated Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Portsmouth and Carlisle United.
Their overall home record finished up on a creditable 15-3-5 37/23 and they’ve won their last three matches on the trot on home turf along with winning five of their last seven against top third opposition at the Lamex Stadium.
Visitors Southend United also suffered defeat in their final match of the regular season as they went down 3-1 at Morecambe, but they too had booked their place in the play-offs a few weeks ago and indeed had just finished one point shy of Bury and an automatic promotion spot.
Prior to the defeat against the Shrimpers, Southend had racked up an impressive seven League Two wins on the trot which included impressive wins over Newport County, Bury and Luton Town, while their overall away record finished up on 12-4-7 29/29.
The Shrimps had also won three on the trot on their travels prior to the Morecambe loss, but I expect them to bounce back again tonight in order to try and close things off at their Roots Hall ground next week.
To sum up, I fancy Southend to at least avoid defeat in this first leg and the round ball can be taken at very good odds here tonight. Southend could grab a draw or perhaps sneak a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Pick: Southend United AH0 @ 2.07 Bet Victor
