Forest Green Rovers vs Southend Preview

Wednesday’s National League actions sees Forest Green host Southend as the Play-off semi-finals begin. Having already met twice this season, which saw both games finish 2-2, both sides know they are very closely matched - this game will be decided by fine margins.

Forest Green are attempting to make a return to League Two at the first time of asking, while Southend are looking to end a stretch of four consecutive seasons in England’s fifth tier. With so much on the line, this two legged clash will be a thriller.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be broadcasted on DAZN, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 pm on Wednesday.

Key Statistics

• Forest Green have only ever beaten Southend once, winning 1-0 in their first meeting back in 2020.
• Despite netting 69 league goals this season, Forest Green have spread their goals widely across their squad, with Charlie McCann’s 11 strikes enough to top the club standings.
• Southend are currently on a five game unbeaten streak, and kept four clean sheets in that time.
• This is the first time Southend have finished in the play-off spots since their relegation from League Two in 2021.

Forest Green Rovers Preview

Forest Green Rovers Predicted Lineup (4-1-4-1): Jamie Sealre (GK); Jamie Robson, Cian Harries, Ryan Inniss, Sean Long; Adam May; Jordan Garrick, Charlie McCann, Liam Sercombe, Kyle McAllister; Joe Quigley.

In another season, Forest Green could have gone up automatically. However, the total dominance of eventual champions Barnet, and unlucky runners-up York City meant that even with 83 points, Rovers finished 13 points back from second, and an astonishing 19 from first.

Had they flipped a couple of results against mid-table teams at various points in the season, the outcome of the campaign could have looked vastly different - but their inconsistency against teams ranked lower than them forced Rovers to face the prospect of the play-offs, where a side can go so close to promotion but have it snatched away in seconds.

With both meetings with Southend ending in 2-2 draws this season, Rovers will be hungry to notch their first victory over the Shrimpers since 2020, it would be magnitudes more important than that regular season meeting.

Southend Preview

Southend Predicted Lineup (4-1-3-2): Nick Hayes (GK); Nathan Ralph, Ben Goodliffe, Harry Taylor, Gus Scott-Morriss; Noor Husin; Jack Bridge, Oliver Coker, Keenan Appiah-Forson; Tom Hopper, Josh Walker.

Beating Rochdale 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling one-legged play-off quarter final fixture, Southend come into this game believing they can beat anyone. Rochdale finished the season fourth, while Southend only just scraped their play-off berth by Gateshead’s failure to win on the final day.

However, once in the play-offs, the goal is totally different. Teams are no longer chasing each other in the standings - it becomes more akin to cup football, which suits underdogs such as Southend.

Forest Green finished nine points clear of Rochdale, and pose a totally different challenge. However, now that Southend have reached the semi-finals, they are given a second leg, providing them with a chance to rectify anything that may go wrong in their first meeting. It will be hard work, and Forest Green are favourites for a reason, but Southend showed their hand against Rochdale.

Forest Green vs Southend Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 15/03/2025: Forest Green 2-2 Southend.
• 23/11/2024: Southend 2-2 Forest Green.
• 24/02/2021: Forest Green 1-3 Southend.
• 24/11/2020: Southend 0-1 Forest Green.

Forest Green vs Southend Betting Tip

Taking into account their superior finish in the regular season, Forest Green should theoretically win here. Play-off games do tend to take on a unique character of their own, with both sides trying new tactics and testing new approaches to catch their opponent off guard - with Forest Green finishing so comfortably third place, they have shown more than enough talent and ingenuity to pick up a result. Forest Green to win.

Forest Green Rovers vs Southend Prediction

Forest Green 3-1 Southend

Goals have been flowing in recent meetings between the two sides, but while four goals have been shared on that last two occasions, Forest Green will turn up when it really matters.