Southend vs Northampton Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Southend recovered well from their defeat last weekend when going to Oxford and getting a result during mid-week. The Shrimpers are right back in the play-off hunt and are now just one point off 6^th place. Back in front of their own fans Southend will likely fancy their chances here.

Northampton’s fortunes have improved lately, The Cobblers come into this match having won two on the bounce for the first time since October and have looked good in doing so.

The problem for the visitors is the fact that they’ve struggled on the road this season and they face a Southend side who’ve carried out most of their best work on home soil. With this in mind, backing the hosts to win wouldn’t be the worst bet; however, the bet that appeals most is ‘Southend to Score Over 1.5 Goals’.

As mentioned above, the hosts have been much better when playing at Roots Hall this season. Phil Brown’s men have scored 28 goals in front of a home crowd, scoring at least twice on nine occasions, including each of their last three.

As an attacking side, Southend often thrive in these sort of matches. Northampton are the sort of team who’ve struggled to keep some of the more forward-thinking teams out on the road this season and they might find it hard to keep pace with Southend here. The visitors have conceded no less than 30 goals on the road this season, letting in at least twice on eight occasions. The fact that they’ve shipped 12 goals in their last will really concern manager Justin Edinburgh.

With the likes of Simon Cox, Nile Ranger and Anthony Wordsworth, Southend have a number of experienced attacking players (ones who’ve plied their trade at a better level previously) and they’ve often reaped the rewards of having such figures in front of a home crowd.

The hosts are fancied to kick on after their impressive mid-week win and can score a couple of goals in doing so, against a team who’ve shipped far too many on the road.