English League One
2008-05-09 - Southend United vs Doncaster Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
England, League 1 Playoff
Friday 9th May 2008 - 19:45
Southend United have had an amazing end of the season to find themselves in the final playoff spot in League 1 as they usurped Brighton and Oldham from that spot. They have proved themselves to be a solid outfit at Roots Hall this year, going 12-6-5 with 35 goals scored and 20 conceded. Overall, Southend scored the 3rd most goals in the league this season.
Southend have only lost 1 of their last 15 league games since the middle of February and have actually won 9 of those games. They are also unbeaten in their last 11 games at Roots Hall. Southend have won 6 of those games but the other 5 have always ended in 1-1 draws. Their last 2 league games at home have both ended 1-1.
Southend will have the return of their manager on the touchline this week as Steve Tilson has completed his 2 match ban. Lee Barnard and Damien Scannell are both back in the squad.
Doncaster will be disappointed that they missed out on automatic promotion by 2 points last weekend as they lost at Cheltenham. A win there would have ensured promotion and there might be some issue as to how they deal with that. Donny went 9-7-7 away from home this season where they scored 31 goals and conceded 23. Only 3 teams have conceded less goals away from home than Doncaster in the league.
Also only 3 teams managed to win more games away from home than them this season. Doncaster will hope their solid defence can ensure a playoff victory as only Nottingham Forest conceded less goals overall in the 46 league games.
Doncaster's defeat at Cheltenham was their first in 5 games but very big in the fact it prevented promotion. Now they face the prospect of the lottery of the playoffs and will be hoping they can improve on their 5 match away run without winning. They have lost 3 of their last 5 away from home and will be concerned that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those 5 games. Doncaster have lost 4 of their last 10 league games.
Doncaster could potentially have the benefit of selecting Mark Wilson, Adam Lockwood and Steve Roberts who have all been suffering with long-term injuries. Paul Green has an ankle injury but could be available here.
HEAD tO HEAD
Doncaster have won 5 of their last 6 matches with Southend, but they both won their home games against each other this season.
Southend beat Doncaster 3-2 at Roots Hall this season.
PREDICTION :
Southend will be hoping the momentum that they have built over the last 3 months of the season can be used to carry them into the final of the playoffs here.
It will be very very important for Southend to take a lead back to Doncaster although I am sure Southend will still fancy their chances of going through as long as they dont lose.
Doncaster have a solid defence but it has been conceding goals of late and I think that will give the edge to Southend too.
The Pick :
SOUTHEND UNITED 2-1 DONCASTER ROVERS
BEST BETTING TIP :
BET: SOUTHEND WINCORRECT SCORE SAVER 1-1
