Southend United travel to the Silverlake Stadium looking to recover from their second defeat of the season. The visitors remain second in the National League, while Eastleigh are sitting in the middle of the table after an inconsistent start.

Eastleigh were heavily beaten at Harrogate

Eastleigh come into the match after losing 4–1 away against Harrogate Town. The Spitfires were unable to build on their previous victory and conceded four times against one of the strongest teams in the division.

Their recent form has been mixed. Eastleigh beat Carlisle United 1–0 but lost 2–1 against both Sutton United and Altrincham. They also drew 1–1 at home against Boreham Wood.

Results at the Silverlake Stadium have been more encouraging. Eastleigh are unbeaten in their first five home league matches, winning three and drawing two.

That home record should give them confidence against Southend. Eastleigh have scored in every home league match this season and have already beaten Gateshead, Scunthorpe and Carlisle in front of their own supporters.

Southend have made a strong start

Southend enter the match in second place after an impressive opening to the season under Kieron Dyer.

Their latest match ended in a 4–2 home defeat against Barrow, but that result followed a strong run which included a 6–1 victory away against Gateshead.

Southend have shown that they can create chances against almost anyone at this level. The performance at Gateshead was their best of the season, with the visitors controlling the match and punishing almost every defensive mistake.

The defeat against Barrow showed that Southend are not unbeatable, but one poor result should not take away from the progress they have made.

Dyer has brought more structure and discipline to the team, while Southend have also carried a greater attacking threat than they did last season. They should have opportunities against an Eastleigh defence that conceded four goals at Harrogate.

Southend have dominated recent meetings

The recent record between the teams also favours Southend. They have won five of the last six meetings, including a 4–1 home victory in January.

Southend have also won on three of their last four visits to Eastleigh. Their most recent trip to the Silverlake Stadium ended in defeat, but the visitors have generally performed well in this fixture.

Eastleigh’s home form makes this a difficult match, and Southend will need to improve defensively after conceding four against Barrow. However, the visitors have produced the better football across the opening weeks and have more attacking quality.

Eastleigh have won only one of their last five matches and were comfortably beaten at Harrogate. If Southend return to the level they showed against Gateshead, they should create enough chances to take all three points.

Verdict

Eastleigh have been difficult to beat at the Silverlake Stadium, so this is unlikely to be an easy evening for Southend.

The visitors have still made the stronger start, sit second in the table and have an excellent recent record in this fixture. Southend should respond to the defeat against Barrow with a victory.

Tip

Southend United to win