Tranmere vs Southend Predictions

When Southend, who remain under the temporary stewardship of Gary Waddock, take on Tranmere at Prenton Park on Friday evening, they’ll be looking for just a second win of the campaign. The hosts will be hoping to make it two wins on the spin after beating Coventry by a goal to nil last time out.

After a couple of poor efforts, Tranmere appeared to have little chance of getting both the win and a clean sheet ahead of their match against Coventry last time out, though that didn’t stop Micky Mellon’s men picking up a timely three points. Having won without conceding away from home, Rovers will come into this home match against destitute opposition with renewed confidence.

Tranmere did win last time out, though it’s important not to get carried away with that result, especially since they were outplayed by wasteful opponents. In all honesty, given that Coventry registered 19 shots to Tranmere’s three, as well as 1.98 expected goals for to Tranmere’s 0.38, it was a rather fortuitous win for Mellon’s men.

On a more positive note, Rovers’ best performances this term have come at home, where they’ve scored a respectable 13 goals, scoring at least twice in five out of six. They’re also averaging a useful 1.61 expected goals for. Unfortunately, even in front of a home crowd, Tranmere have been too soft at the back. They’ve shipped nine goals and have kept just one clean sheet, while they’ve also surrendered a poor average of 1.77 expected goals.

Fortunately, the hosts, who’ve done anything but cover themselves in defensive glory this term, are up against the worst defence in the league. Southend come into this match in a truly desperate position. They’re without a permanent manager after the departure of Kevin Bond, are in the drop-zone and seemingly have a squad that isn’t good enough to cut it in League One.

The Shrimpers have shipped no less than 32 goals this term, which is more than Bolton, who started the campaign with little more than a youth team.

Despite their only win coming away from home, Southend have struggled massively to get going on their travels, which is where they’ve conceded 16 goals in six matches. They’ve also shipped an average of 2.13 expected goals on their travels. At the other end, they’ve started to get going, notching a total of eight, all of which have come in their last four travelling games, though an average of 0.57 expected goals for tells us that they’ve benefited from some good fortune going forward.

In the betting, ‘Tranmere to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’ catches the eye. Given the lack of resistance provided by Southend’s dreadful rear-guard this term, the hosts, who’ve generally attacked well at home, scoring an average of 2.17 goals, are backed to score at least twice on route to victory.

Those looking for a ‘Correct Score’ punt are points towards a 2-0 win for the hosts. Southend have been scoring some goals on the road, but their overall performances suggest that those goals could easily dry up. In their last four on the road, despite finding the net on a regular basis, the Shrimpers have posted expected goals for numbers of just 0.37, 0.73, 0.76 and 0.71. Unless their creativity improves significantly, it won’t be long before Friday’s visitors return to firing blanks.