Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Southend United and Tranmere Rovers square off against each other at Roots Hall in what is expected to be a very entertaining League Two game. Southend have been struggling in front of goal of late, but they produced a fine display in a goalless draw with Oldham. Since the Seasiders are desperate to escape the relegation zone, we are positive that they will fight tooth and nail against Tranmere.
The Super Whites, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Crawley Town. Since both sides have been anything but impressive up front in recent weeks, we believe that there is a big value in betting on a low-scoring draw. It has to be noted that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of their previous four meetings between Southend United and Tranmere Rovers in all competitions.
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 (Tranmere):
Based in Birkenhead, Merseyside, Tranmere Rovers are a professional club that compete in the League One. Tranmere were founded back in 1884 under the name of Belmont FC, with the football arms of cricket clubs Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont coming together. The club recorded their first win later in 1884 as they outclassed Brunswick Rovers 4-0.
Nowadays Tranmere Rovers play their home games at Prenton Park, the venue which can hold up to 15,567 people. The Rovers wear white shirts and blue shorts in home matches, but back in the 19th century orange and red were the dominating colours on their kit.
Tranmere fans see Bolton Wanderers as the club’s main rivals, but they have built a small rivalry with Chester City and Everton as well. The Prenton Park outfit did well to make it to the League Cup final in the 1993/1994 season, but Aston Villa proved to be a big catch for them in the title game.