Monday, Roots Hall, 7.45, live on Sky Sports
THERE is one English League game tonight and it looks difficult to call.
It's similar to Blackpool v Hull on Friday. I sat on the fence and took a draw and I'm going the same way at Southend v Crawley.
The League Two rivals set the pace at the start of the season but have been overhauled by the likes of Swindon and Cheltenham and in fact if Crawley don't wake up they could even miss out on a play-off spot.
Crawley lost at home to Torquay at the weekend and in recent weeks have also been beaten by Shrewsbury and Swindon. To be fair the live TV defeat at Shrewsbury was unlucky so despite four games without a win Steve Evans' men can't completely be written off.
They probably won't relish another trip to a top-six rival but Southend are also suffering. After two defeats to nil boss Paul Sturrock rung the changes at the weekend and got the response he needed with a 2-0 victory at Burton.
That doesn't give me enough confidence to back them at a best 6-4 with Betfred and Chandler. Crawley are 2-1 at Ladbrokes and BetVictor but I'm yet to be convinced they've recovered from selling their two top scorers Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett so it's draw for me at 12-5 with BetVictor.
Neil Harris was one of the players drafted in by Luggy and the veteran former Millwall striker duly netted. He's likely to start tonight and is 7-1 at bet365 to score first and 2-1 at Ladbrokes, Coral and bet365 to net at any time.
Recommendations
Draw
(12-5, BetVictor)
Harris to score
(2-1, Ladbrokes, Coral, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Hi Paul, Southend have been one of the regulars on my coupons last few weeks, Crawleys away form ain’t been too great so I’m on Southend to win doubled up with Dundee Utd-1.
Paul, as I’ve said too tough to call in my opinion. Both teams have been struggling a bit and it could just go down to who turns up on the night. Crawley can’t really afford to lose because it would be a massive dent in their automatic promotion hopes having been very short to go up at the start of the season.
I’m in the same boat as Paul, i can’t see anything other than a Southend win, like you have said yourself Mr Fixit, Crawley are struggling to find goals since they sold Tubbs & Barnett.
Well you’ve proved me wrong, well done again. Never the less I still made a small profit for the night. Plenty of games tomorrow to pick from.
Chris, I couldn’t separate them to be honest. Had to take the draw even though I don’t like doing so.
Yeah I was very surprised it was not a crawley win, but they missed the penalty and then could not finish the 9 men of Southend off.
Chris, I knew Southend were down to 9 but didn’t know they missed a pen as I was watching the Dundee Utd game. With four minutes to go at Southend I managed to get more on the draw at 4-9 in running which i thought was quite generous.
Yes should have taken your advice don’t line draws though. Trebled up with Utd -1 and Levante so hit the post. Il b watching ur tips tonight lots of choice.