Southend vs Bradford Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Southend did improve on what was ultimately a dismal opening day result when they drew 1-1 away at Plymouth last weekend, though Shrimpers fans will still be displeased with the start made by their team. Now back on their own patch, Chris Powell’s men will be hoping to earn their first victory of the new campaign.

It’s not been an amazing start to the campaign for Southend, though their efforts have not matched their results. Although they were a bit too easy to get at on the break on match-day one, they were unlucky to lose. On that occasion, Sothend threatened regularly, though they just couldn’t score until it was too late, while their performance away against Plymouth last weekend was very respectable. Again, Chris Powell’s men dominated in terms of both attacking intensity and chances created, though they had the same problems when it came to finding the back of the net.

In all honesty, performance wise, Southend have done enough to be sitting pretty with six points in the bag, so people shouldn’t be too harsh on them because of their results. If Powell’s men continue to play in the way that they have done, then results will soon take care of themselves, while the goals will soon start to flow.

Bradford have had a contrasting couple of weeks; on match-day one, they were excellent at times, particularly with the ball, though they struggled against a dominant Barnsley side last time out, especially in the final third. On that occasion, the Bantams found it tough to make offensive headway, as they managed just two shots in over 90 minutes of football. It’s easy to see them doing far better against lesser opposition, though with Southend likely to dominate this one, the visitors could once again struggle to make their presence felt in the final third.

Their results may suggest otherwise, but Southend have been the one of the best teams in terms of creativity in the final third over the first two weeks of the season. As things stand, only two teams in League One rank better in terms of average expected goals (xG), while no team has accumulated more shots or more shots on target. In the same three categories, Bradford rank 11^th, 24^th and 16^th.

Bradford are fancied to do reasonably well this season; they’ve got some good players and ought to enjoy plenty of good days, though if the opening weeks are anything to by, this isn’t likely to be one of them. Now back in front of a home crowd, Southend are backed to finally deliver on the promise of their attacking play. At the prices, backing one of the league’s most creative teams to score multiple goals is an absolute must.