Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Southend
Match Time & Date:
15/12/2020
02:45 PM
Prediction: 1-0
Grimsby
Tuesday’s football game at Roots Hall pits together Southend United and Grimsby Town, the two teams who sit in the bottom half of the table ahead of Matchday 18. Southend United desperately needed a win against Scunthorpe, and they managed to get one thanks to James Olayinka’s goal. The Seasiders regained a much-needed confidence, but they need to keep on improving their game if they are to avoid relegation to the National League.
Grimsby Town, on the other hand, do not seem to be at their sharpest ahead of the trip to Essex. The Mariners collected only one point in total from the previous four league fixtures, and given the importance of Tuesday’s clash for the hosts, we predict that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed. In their last meeting in the English fourth tier the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Highlighted Player (Mark Oxley):
Born in Sheffield, England, on the 2nd of June, 1990, Oxley's football journey started as a Rotherham youth product. The English International signed his first professional contract with the Millers in 2007 but failed to make a single appearance for the club during that season.
The following season, he signed for Hull City, who, in turn, sent him out on successive loans to clubs like Walsall, Grimbsy Town, Oldham Athletic, and Hibernian. The 6ft 3-inch goalkeeper's professional debut meanwhile, came on the 27th of February, 2010, playing for Grimbsy in a 2-0 away loss to Dagenham in League Two. Oxley's performance during his six-month loan period with Hibernian earned him a permanent deal. He signed a two-year contract starting with the club in July 2015. In his time at the Scottish outfit, he made 90 appearances and kept 35 clean sheets. Oxley then joined his current club Southend in July 2016 on an initial two-year deal.
He had a fantastic first season, winning both fans' player of the year and players' player of the year awards. As of August 2018, Oxley has signed a contract extension and also got given the captain's armband. On the International forefront, the 29-year-old is a former youth International having capped once for England at the under-18 level.
Highlighted Team (Grimsby):
Founded back in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham, Grimsby Town are a professional football club that compete in League Two, the English fourth tier. Grimsby Town welcome their opponents at Blundell Park, the stadium which has the capacity of 9,027 people (all seated).
The Pilgrims are well known for their black jerseys with white stripes, whilst blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. Grimsby Town made it to the FA Trophy final on two occasions (2012/13, 2015/16), but they have yet to win the title in the competition. The likes of Hull City and Scunthorpe United are regarded as the club’s main rivals.
The Pilgrims registered their biggest win on September 4, 1925, as they crushed Tranmere Rovers 8-0. Speaking of their heaviest loss, Grimsby Town were beaten by Arsenal 9-1 on January 28, 1931. Pat Glover is sitting in top position in the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 180 league goals on his account.
