Southend United will be bidding to continue their impressive form in the National League when they make the trip to struggling Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues are on an 11-game unbeaten run in the league, which has moved them into fifth position in the table, while Gateshead are bottom of the table, having only collect 13 points from their opening 18 games.
Match preview
Gateshead have won two, drawn seven and lost nine of their 18 National League matches this season, which has left them rooted to the bottom of the table on 13 points.
Mike Williamson's side were promoted from the National League North last season as champions, but they have found it difficult to compete at this level and will need to improve in the coming months in order to stay in the division.
The Tynesiders were beaten 3-2 by Stevenage in the first round of the FA Cup on November 5 before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Yeovil Town in the league last weekend.
Gateshead have now lost their last three games in all competitions, while they have not been victorious in the National League since a 1-0 win over Maidenhead United towards the end of September.
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Southend, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Dorking Wanderers in the National League last weekend, with Jack Bridge and Shaun Hobson on the scoresheet for the Blues.
Kevin Maher's side are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in the league, with their last defeat proving to be the 3-2 reverse at Chesterfield on September 13.
The Essex outfit have won seven and drawn four of their last 11 in the National League, and the impressive run of form has moved them into fifth position in the table, five points ahead of eighth-placed Boreham Wood.
Southend are already 11 points behind leaders Notts County, so it is going to be tough for them to secure automatic promotion this term, but the Blues have demonstrated in recent weeks that they should be strong enough for the playoffs this season following a difficult few years.
Maher's team actually have the best defensive record in the National League this term, having conceded just 13 times in 19 matches, which is four fewer than the leaders Notts County.
Team News
Gateshead boss Williamson is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the 3-1 defeat to Yeovil last time out.
The player-manager could again name himself in the starting side, but there is expected to be a change in midfield, with Luke Daley potentially coming in for Owen Gallacher, who is an injury doubt.
Adam Campbell, formerly of Newcastle United, is Gateshead's leading goalscorer in the league this season with five, and he is again set to lead the line for the Tynesiders.
Southend, meanwhile, were in Essex Senior Cup action against Brentwood Town on Tuesday, with fit-again Nathan Ralph, Harry Cardwell and Dan Mooney all in the starting XI.
The Blues remain without goalkeeper Steve Arnold, though, and he will be missing for at least the next three months, having had an operation on his damaged hip.
Maher is likely to select the same XI that took to the field against Dorking in the league last weekend, with Chris Wreh expected to get the nod as the centre-forward on Saturday afternoon.
Gateshead possible starting lineup:
Montgomery; Pye, Williamson, Richardson, Magnay; Bailey, Daley, Hasani; Martin, Campbell, Harris
Southend United possible starting lineup:
Andeng; Taylor, Hobson, Lopata, Kensdale, Scott-Morriss; Bridge, Fonguck, Powell, Miley; Wreh
We say: Gateshead 0-2 Southend United
Southend are absolutely flying at the moment, and it is tough to back against them here due to Gateshead's struggles. The Blues are likely to have difficult moments during the 90 minutes, but we are expecting them to be too strong for the side at the bottom of the table.
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Top tip
Matt Law
