On Tuesday night, Southend United and FC Halifax Town will square off, with both teams looking to gain ground in their respective promotion bids from the National League. Both teams’ weekend games were postponed, leaving them in sixth and tenth place in the standings.
Southend United vs Halifax Town National League Match Preview
Beginning in early November and continuing through November, Southend strung together a four-game winning streak, all with clean sheets, presumably positioning the club to make an additional gain on the clubs above them.
Kevin Maher’s club is still in the playoff race despite a 1-4 score in their previous five games and six points.
Southend’s two-game losing streak ended in their most recent match, a 2-2 draw with Altrincham in which Southend had the lead twice.
Maher would have liked to play this past weekend again, but a frozen surface forced a postponement of their match against Boreham Wood.
Instead, Southend had additional time to prepare for their match against Halifax, who would tie the Shrimpers atop the standings with a victory.
Even though Halifax’s match against fifth-placed Barnet was postponed owing to the weather, the Shaymen likely still would have hoped to gain ground in their promotion push that day.
Though Chris Millington and his squad surely appreciated the week off after a midweek match, the Yorkshire club lost an opportunity to gain some steam.
The club has climbed into the top 10 after victories against Chesterfield and Dorking Wanderers and now sits just five points behind the team they were scheduled to meet this weekend.
While a third straight win is a goal, Halifax has won just two of eleven road games in the fifth division this season.
Southend United vs Halifax Town National League Team News
With more time to prepare, Maher of Southend may make a few changes to his starting lineup.
Maher was content with an established lineup for the game against Altrincham, as he made just one substitution; however, after missing his team’s first league game of the season, Ollie Kensdale is eligible for a return to the defence.
After missing the victory against the Dorking Wanderers due to sickness, Jack Senior and Luke Summerfield are now well enough to return to the Halifax lineup.
But Millington has to make a call on whether he wants to change a successful squad, especially considering how that success was achieved.
Only two National League games this season did not need Senior to start at any point. Therefore he is a strong candidate for a comeback to the backline.
- Southend United Predicted Starting Lineup: Ralph, Kensdale, Noukeu, Scott-Morriss, Lopata, Bridge, Hobson, Fonguck, Mooney, Miley, Wreh.
- Halifax Town Predicted Starting Lineup: Stott, Golden, Johnson, Debrah, Spence, Gilmour, Cooke, Arthur, Warburton, Dieseruvwe, Cappello.
Southend United 1-1 Halifax Town National League Prediction
Despite their lower league standing, Halifax is the hotter team heading into this matchup. However, Southend’s home record is far better than their away form. Therefore we expect a close match with a split of the spoils.
