Southend United v Carlisle United Preview

On Saturday, Mark Hughes and his Carlisle United side make the long trip to the south coast to take on Kevin Maher’s Southend United.

Both sides have been in excellent form as of late and this game promises to be a really good game of football.

How Have Both Teams Been Performing?

The Shrimpers won every game in October in all competitions and only conceded one goal. Those games included comfortable wins over Aldershot, Morecambe and Brackley as well as a cup win over Folkestone. Their winning run did come to an end at the hands of Wealdstone in the FA Cup though.

Last time out, Southend United earned a last gasp 1-1 draw at Woking.

The Cumbrians are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions. Those seven games include wins over Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and Forest Green in the National League, a draw away to Yeovil and two FA Cup victories over Boston and Reading.

Last time out, Carlisle United comfortably beat Halifax Town 2-0 at Brunton Park.

Players To Watch

Gus Scott-Morriss

The 28-year-old wing back has been and is one of the Southend’s biggest threats going forward. Southend play with two fantastic wing backs and they get up and down both flanks incredibly well and will create chances and score goals.

Last season in the National League Scott-Morris scored 17 goals and so far this season he has 3 goals and 2 assists to his name.

Harry Boyes

The 24-year-old wing back has all the same qualities as his fellow wing back and will cause Carlisle problems with his deliveries from set pieces as well. Boyes joined from Sheffield United in the summer and has had a great season so far. His ability to create for the Southend attacking players has been something of a standout for him so far this season.

Harry Boyes has 4 assists so far this season and is always a threat down the left wing given the Southend system.

Andrew Dallas

The 26-year-old striker has been Southend’s top goalscorer this season since joining on loan in the summer. His movement in the box and runs to stretch defence make him a nightmare for defenders to contest with. With the service from the wing backs and the creative midfielders Dallas will be a handful for the Carlisle defence and if the Cumbrians are to get a result they will need to keep Dallas quiet.

Andrew Dallas has 7 goals to his name so far this season in the National League.

Slavi Spasov

The 23-year-old striker has somewhat played second fiddle to Dallas this season but has found form in recent weeks. He will drop deep and pick up the ball and look to link up with the other Southend forwards, he will look to stretch the defence with intelligent runs as well.

He may not start the game but he will certainly be a player to watch out for off the bench. Spasov has 3 goals and 1 assist in the National League so far this season.

Another player to look out for is former Carlisle United player Jack Bridge, he scored the equaliser after coming off the bench against Woking

My Predicted Carlisle United Starting Eleven

Breeze, Davies, Feeney, Ellis, Harper, Macadam, Gilliead, Conn-Clarke, Luamba, Linney, Kelly.

Why change a winning team? The only change I can see Mark Hughes making is enforced with injuries to Hayden and Thomas so I think Ellis will start after impressing against Halifax.

My Score Prediction

Southend United 2-2 Carlisle United

Two in form sides that will cause each other problems in defence so I think there will be goals in this one. Southend are strong at home and don’t concede many and Carlisle haven’t been as convincing on the road as they are at home so I think this could be close.

I’m going for a draw but an entertaining one between two good sides.

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