English League Two
2013-01-26 - Chesterfield vs Southend United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Two
Saturday 26 January 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Chesterfield
This game is a big one for Chesterfield as they have the opportunity to close the gap on the sides chasing a Play Off spot, while also pulling back one of the sides that are currently amongst the leading contenders in the Division. It does seem clear that it will be their form at home that will determine whether Chesterfield do indeed get in amongst the top 7 come May.
The side are currently 11th in the League Two table and they have picked up 39 points so far this season which leaves them just 3 points short of the Play Off positions and only 6 off automatic promotion. Chesterfield have a 6-5-3 record at home this season, scoring 26 goals and conceding 16 in those games.
Chesterfield snapped a 3 game run without a win with a 3-0 home win over Northampton Town last time out and that was only their second win from their last 7 games. The home form has been much more impressive for Chesterfield as they are unbeaten in their last 7 there, while winning 5 of those games.
Southend United
After getting into a real position where it looked like automatic promotion would be a possibility, Southend United have lost a bit of form of late and that has seen them drop out of the Play Off positions. However, they are still very much in a position where they can attack the promotion spots, although they will want to snap recent form as soon as possible.
Southend have dropped to 8th in the League Two table, but their 40 points means they are just a win from getting back into the Play Offs and only 5 points behind Northampton Town in the final automatic promotion spots. They have a 6-3-5 away record in the League, scoring 24 goals and conceding 17 in those games.
The poor form I alluded to has seen Southend fail to win any of their last 6 games in all competitions, exiting the FA Cup, but making their way through the Football League Trophy on a penalty shoot out. Southend have failed to win any of their last 4 away games in all competitions, losing 3 of those, including back to back away games in League Two.
Head to Head
Chesterfield will be looking for a measure of revenge after losing 3-0 at Roots Hall earlier this season.
The teams have shared wins in the last couple of games here, Chesterfield winning 2-1 two seasons ago, but Southend recording a 3-4 win the year prior to that.
Prediction
Both of these sides have been involved in games that have plenty of goals in their home/away games respectively and I think there is a chance we see the same.
My concerns are the pitch, which has been frozen by the recent weather conditions in the UK, while the 1-1 draw is another result that could have a big impact in this game. However, I can see both teams pushing for the win in this one and that should lead to an open game that could make a mockery of the 2.00 on offer for at least 3 goals in this one.
The Pick :
Chesterfield 2-1 Southend United
