Shrimpers look value for further away success

Southend moved into the Sky Bet League One playoff positions despite drawing 2-2 at home to Northampton on Saturday and can cement their position by defeating Peterborough at London Road.

Shimpers' boss Phil Brown was happy with his team's weekend performance but frustrated with the outcome.

Southend twice took the lead and won the shot count 19 to 12 but were unable to put away a Northampton side showing signs of progress under new manager Justin Edinburgh.

However, the last four months have been positive for Southend, who occupied a relegation place as recently as mid-October.

Peterborough have been around the playoff picture for most of the season but have had a poor start to 2017, winning three, drawing one and losing five of nine league games.

Saturday's 2-0 loss at Walsall left them three points outside the top six and came at a cost with Anton Forrester receiving a red card and Anthony Grant getting his tenth caution of the season, meaning both midfielders are suspended for the Southend game.

Another midfielder, Gwion Edwards, is rated doubtful with a minor injury and Peterborough's weakness in the centre of the park could be seized upon by a Southend side chasing a sixth away league win of the campaign.

Wycombe's Sky Bet League Two playoff hopes have been damaged by three successive defeats but the Chairboys can return to the top seven with a win at Colchester.

A combination of loose defending and poor finishing contributed to Wycombe's 2-1 loss at home to Carlisle on Saturday but manager Gareth Ainsworth was focusing on the positives after watching his team win the shot count 19 to five against their third-placed opponents.

Wycombe are usually much better at looking after the finer details and a more concentrated approach could seal the points against injury-ravaged Colchester, who are without at least 11 injured players.

Threadbare Colchester have lost back-to-back games at home to Crawley (3-2) and away to Accrington (2-1) and their poor run may continue.

Recommendations
Southend draw no bet
3pts Evs Paddy Power, Sky Bet
Wycombe
2pts 2-1 Paddy Power