Chesterfield vs Southend Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Chesterfield may have won last weekend, but they still face a massive task to stay in the division. The Spireites are nine points form safety and, barring a miracle, appear to be on their way down to the fourth tier of English football. At the other end of the spectrum, Southend are in the hunt for the play-offs and are in need of a win having lost each of their last two. Playing a major relegation candidate should, in theory, provide the Shrimpers with the perfect opportunity to bounce back, but it’s a funny old game at times.

At the prices, the bet that stands out is ‘Southend to Score Over 1.5 Goals’. The visitors may have stumbled lately, but this is a perfect opportunity for them to get back on track and they’re fancied to do so having scored few goals.

From an attacking point of view, on their day Southend are capable of putting in an impressive performance. In Simon Cox and Nile Ranger, Phil Brown has at his disposal strikers who’re experienced at a higher level and are thus more than capable of causing opposition defences serious problems. Having scored 27 goals on the road this season, Brown’s men haven’t exactly been slacking and have scored at least twice on eight occasions, including against several of the division’s struggling teams.

At the back is where Chesterfield have really fallen down this season, although they haven’t exactly impressed at the other end. Gary Caldwell’s men have scored a reasonable 25 on their own patch, but conceding 33 is certainly a problem, hence why they find themselves in such a mess. The fact that they’ve conceded at least twice on nine different occasions at the Proact this season doesn’t exactly paint them in favourable light either.

Chesterfield may have put up a bit of a fight in recent weeks, but this has almost definitely been in vain. Southend are a side who can really hurt teams with their attack and the visitors are fancied to re-find their scoring touch against an almost relegated side as they look to get their play-off charge back on track.