Southend v Yeovil Town – Betting Tip

Southend v Yeovil Town (24th January 2009 @ 3pm)

A great performance by the canaries of Norwich City last week and were off to a flying start for 2009.

This weekends focus is down at Roots Hall for Southend currently 15th in League One against a Yeovil Town side currently lying 19th.

The hosts are Even money favourites but looking beneath the surface have a fair few problems. They’ve won only 7 out of their last 21 league games and also are without a win in their last 5 games in all competitions, they scored a 96th minute equaliser earlier in the week to draw 1-1 at Leyton Orient however the result came at a cost with them losing striker Alex Revell for the season through injury and also further injuries to key men Anthony Grant and old war horse Dougie Freedman take into account strong centre half Peter Clarke suspension this weekend and it leaves them without 4 key players for the visit of Yeovil.

Yeovil themselves aren’t in the best form having won only once in 5, however the victory was on the road at lowly Swindon. Russell Slade has moulded an experienced unfashionable squad together and looks to players like Danny Schofield and Marc Bircham for his flair and their away record so far this season shows 3 victories 3 draws and 6 defeats which have included a couple of hidings losing 5-0 at Stockport in the F.A. Cup and 3-0 at Northampton Town in the league. Whilst it’s not too bad a record it does appear that Yeovil’s main problem is scoring goals with only 9 away goals all season and whilst top scorer Danny Schofield has 4 and will be looking to add to his tally at the weekend, I don’t believe the recent signing of the much travelled striker Luke Rodgers will dramatically alter their goalscoring form.

So what point of view are we going to take with the game? Well I acknowledge 4 key men are missing for Southend however I believe that top scorer Lee Barnard will continue his goal haul and with the experience of captain Adam Barrett and keeper Steve Mildenhall I believe the shrimpers still have plenty of quality at this level and im a fan of Franck Moussa in midfield. No win in 5 and 1 win in 9 for them but to be fair two of the games were against Premiership Chelsea so I can forgive them that also. Steve Tilson described himself as in a desperate position this week but Chairman Ron Martin has told him he will have time and funds to turn the side around however I think the best they’ll be looking for is a solid mid-table finish.

Most firms have gone odds/on for the home victory but Ladbrokes seem to have latched onto the problems of Southend and go out a stand alone Evens about the home side. Whilst many will not see the value I take the home side to prevail and come through against all odds.

Southend to beat Yeovil Town
1pt Win @ Evens- Ladbrokes