Bitesize Prediction: Forest Green vs Southend United – 21/05/25

Competition: National League play-offs

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 19/20 @ BetUS

With a spot at Wembley hanging in the balance on Wednesday night, Forest Green will welcome Southend to Gloucestershire for their play-off semi-final showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Forest Green might have lost their Football League status last season, Steve Cotterill’s side are confident of booking an immediate fourth-tier return. Eventually clinching a bronze medal finish and with many tipping the Gloucestershire-based outfit as a leading promotion contender, the former Birmingham boss is facing a season-defining showdown here. However, signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 1-1 stalemate away at Hartlepool, the Green Army have struggled to find much recent stability. In fact, Cotterill’s side have won just a trio of their previous 12 National League appearances – a run that stems all the way back to March 1st. Nevertheless, despite falling to an action-packed 3-2 loss against Gateshead last month, Forest Green will be excited by their extended success on home soil. On what is a remarkable run, Wednesday’s hosts have suffered just a sole defeat from any of their last 16 consecutive matchups in front of their own supporters.

As for the visitors, mounting what was a sensational comeback away at Rochdale last week, Southend will travel to Gloucestershire with the mood in their camp at a real high. Eventually snatching a thrilling 4-3 victory in Greater Manchester, the Blues have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous eight meetings against National League opposition. Landing a thumping 4-0 win away at Ebbsfleet last month, Kevin Maher’s men have found a recent clinical edge in the final third. Signing off April with a 3-0 victory against Wealdstone, the Essex-based outfit have recorded at least a trio of goals in three of their last four outings. However, facing what should be another tricky test here, Southend have struggled to find much fluidity away from Roots Hall. Despite that remarkable late comeback away at Rochdale last week, Maher’s camp have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 away fixtures within 90 minutes.

Bet: Both teams to score at Forest Green vs Southend United 19/20 for Wednesday’s National League play-off showdown @ BetUS