Our prediction for this League 2 match:
There will be fireworks when Southend United and Mansfield Town face each other at Roots Hall in the League Two round 25. The Seasiders aim to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Cambridge United, and we are positive that they will adopt an attack-minded approach in Saturday’s clash. Southend United are stuck at the bottom of the table, but it seems as if their performances are much better than the results.
Mansfield, on the other hand, aim to keep their 100% record in 2021 intact. The Yellows are on a four-match winning run in the League Two, and they are surely capable of matching Southend behind closed doors. A close match is on the cards at Roots Hall, and we believe that punters from around the globe can find value in betting on draw. In the first half of the season 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 (Mansfield):
Founded in 1897, Mansfield Town are a professional club that compete in the League 2, the English fourth tier. The Stags are well known for their yellow shirts and blue shorts, while the colour of their away kit is black. Field Mill is the club’s home ground, the stadium with the capacity of 9,186.
The venue was built back in 1861 and renovated in 1999. Chesterfield and Notts County are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals. Mansfield Town did well to win the Football League Trophy in 1986/1987 season, with the team beating Bristol City on penalties at Wembley Stadium.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the regular time, with Kevin Kent and Glyn Riley scoring for Mansfield Town and Bristol City respectively. Goalkeeper Rod Arnold is the player with most appearances as he played 513 games for the Stags in all competitions.