Southend vs Bristol Rovers Predictions

• Southend have won just one of their seven home matches against the current bottom half.
• Southend have conceded in six out of seven against bottom-half teams at Roots Hall.
• Rovers have scored away against five bottom-half teams during the current campaign.
• Southend have kept a clean sheet in a measly 6% of their home matches this season.

Shrimpers struggling

Southend’s misery seemingly knows no end. The Shrimpers lost for the sixth game in a row last time out, as they were defeated by Oxford by two goals to one. It’s now over a month since Sol Campbell’s men won, though they have at least found the net in each of their last two. That might not seem like much of a consolation, but given their dreadful position, they’ll have to enjoy the little things.

At home against bottom-half teams, the Shrimpers haven’t exactly thrived, losing four, drawing two and winning just one of their seven matches against those who currently occupy a place in the bottom half. They’ve kept just one clean sheet against such opposition, scoring in four out of seven.

Goals still elude Rovers

Two games ago, it looked as though things were starting to come together for Bristol Rovers under Ben Garner, though fast forward a fortnight and the Gas are back on the slide. They’ve lost each of their last two, conceding four and scoring none in the process.

Scoring goals has been a big problem for Rovers since Garner took charge. Saturday’s visitors have failed to find the net in eight out of 13 under the new boss. Such a stat will surely have the Rovers hierarchy questioning their decisions. Fortunately, this match represents a massive opportunity for Garner’s men to improve in the final third.

Both teams to find the net

Clean sheets have eluded Southend from pretty much pillar to post this season, so even a Rovers side struggling for goals must fancy themselves offensively. At the same time, there has been some attacking promise for Sol Campbell’s struggling hosts of late, so they too can get on the scoresheet. ‘Both Teams to Score’ appears to be a reasonably way of making this one pay. The Shrimpers have found the net in three of their last four home games against bottom half teams, while Rovers have scored away against bottom-half sides such as Bolton, Shrewsbury, Rochdale, Wimbledon and Lincoln. Additionally, Southend have conceded in all but one of their home matches this term, while Rovers have failed to keep a clean sheet in five out of seven on the road since Garner took charge.

In the ‘Correct Score’ market a punt is taken on a 2-2 draw. Rovers have conceded multiple goals on nine occasions away from home this season, while Southend have scored twice in four of their last seven at home. The visitors are yet to score twice in a single away match under Garner, but this is as good an opportunity as they’re likely to get. Southend have conceded multiple goals 12 times at home this season.