Blackpool vs Southend Predictions

• Only two League 1 teams have registered less shots on target at home than Blackpool this season.
• Both Blackpool and Southend rank in the bottom three when it comes to touches in the opposition box.
• Blackpool are League 1’s second-worst team in terms of shots for. Southend rank four places above the Seasiders.

Hosts need reprieve

Blackpool come into this game off the back of a dismal run of form. They’ve lost each of their last four and are now without a league win in eight matches, six of which they’ve lost. Manager Simon Grayson will be hoping that the return to Bloomfield Road, after five straight away games in the league, will provide some solace, though the Seasiders have lost each of their last two at home.

Grayson’s men aren’t exactly an easy side to face, while they rarely get battered. They’ve not lost by more than a single goal since September and have only conceded more than twice on two occasions this season, but that hasn’t stopped them going on a poor run. The main reason for Blackpool’s recent lack of wins is of course a lack of goals. The Seasiders have scored just five times in their last eight matches and haven’t scored more once during that time. Therein lies the problem.

Shrimpers in unusual position

Very few times have Southend gone into a League 1 match off the back of a win this season, four to be exact, but that’s what they’ll do this weekend. Not only did the Shrimpers get the better of Lincoln last time out, but they’ve won two of their last three and, although it appears to be far too late, are finally starting to look like a side that can get a result.

Playing away from home hasn’t exactly been something that Southend has specialised in this season, though it’s impossible to say that they’ve not competed on their travels of late. A lack of defensive solidity has ultimately cost them, though nine goals scored in their last five on the road is promising. Moreover, their recent away win against Stanley and their recent draw at Kingsmeadow against Wimbledon point towards them holding their own against a low-scoring Blackpool side.

Visitors to outplay their odds

The main problem for Sol Campbell’s men is defending. A quick glance at the league table shows that, but they’ve done better in that respect in recent games, conceding no more than once in each of their last three. Add in that they’re now scoring goals and the visitors look a good bet to get a positive result at Bloomfield Road. Punters can profit by siding with ‘Southend +1 Handicap’. While the Shrimpers have spent the last few weeks shipping less goals and scoring more, Blackpool continue to flounder in the final third. The hosts are without a goal in their last two at home and have scored just two in their last three overall, shipping five in the process. They also rank below Southend in terms of touches in the opposition box and shots for this season. All things considered, the visitors look to have a better chance of getting a result than the current prices suggest and thus supporting them to do so offers punters some value.