Southend United host Dagenham & Redbridge at Roots Hall this afternoon in what could be a season-defining encounter for both teams’ play-off hopes.
Both sides are in need of three points for the same reason, to try and stake a late push for a top seven finish, but unfortunately games aren’t quite on their side.
At the time of writing, Southend United sit 9th in the table, five points outside of the play-off places, although they do have a game in-hand on Eastleigh, despite having just four league games left.
Meanwhile, Dagenham & Redbridge are currently 10th in the National League standings, seven points off the play-off places after a disappointing run of form. The club also have a game in-hand over Eastleigh, but time is very much not on their side.
The Form
Kevin Maher’s side have found form at the right time, after a poor run of results to keep them in the promotion picture. Their season was reignited with a 2-0 away victory at Yeovil Town before another win over already-relegated Maidstone United on Good Friday.
In their last league outing, they shared the spoils with fellow promotion hopefuls Woking in a 1-1 draw on Monday. Jack Bridge’s second-half strike ensured the Blues made it three unbeaten.
Southend also have a reasonably favourable run-in with games against Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United and Wealdstone to follow after this game – a play-off spot is certainly not out of the question.
Dagenham & Redbridge, unlike Southend, have picked up a few disappointing defeats of late. Firstly, they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Gateshead who have been in impeccable form recently. Then, a 2-0 home loss to relegation-threatened Dorking Wanderers.
They secured an impressive win over Boreham Wood on Good Friday courtesy of Inih Effiong’s goal on the 13-minute mark. However, they returned to losing habits last time out with a 1-0 loss at home to Chesterfield.
In the remaining three games of the campaign, the Daggers take on Altrincham and FC Halifax Town before a trip to Barnet on the final day of the season.
Team News
Southend remain without striker duo Jake Hyde and Rhys Murphy. Nathan Ralph will also not be involved after breaking his nose against Woking in their last game.
The Daggers will not have Nik Tavares and Mauro Vilhete at their disposal today, while Matt Robinson is touch-and-go so may, or may not, feature this afternoon.
Recent Meetings
The last time these two teams met was in October at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Callum Powell’s 79th-minute goal meant the two played out a 1-1 draw. The Shrimpers have not had the best of records against the Daggers, with their last win coming in 2015.
8th October 2022 – Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Southend United (Vanarama National League)
15th March 2022 – Southend United 0-3 Dagenham & Redbridge (Vanarama National League)
15th January 2022 – Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Southend United (FA Trophy Fourth Round)
23rd October 2021 – Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 Southend United (Vanarama National League)
14th March 2015 – Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Southend United (Sky Bet League Two)
Elsewhere in the Vanarama National League
Aldershot Town vs Scunthorpe United
Barnet vs Wrexham
Boreham Wood vs Wealdstone
Chesterfield vs Eastleigh
Dorking Wanderers vs Altrincham
FC Halifax Town vs Maidstone United
Gateshead vs Bromley
Notts County vs Woking
Oldham Athletic vs Maidenhead United
Solihull Moors vs Yeovil Town
Torquay United vs York City
