Promotion-chasing Southend United welcome Altrincham to Roots Hall, looking to make a quick return to the Football League.

The hosts have lost their last two games in the National League after a sensational streak of five wins in six, while the visitors are unbeaten in three.

Match preview

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Dropping into the fifth tier of English football for the first time in 101 years in 2021, following a devastating double relegation from League One, Southend are looking to improve on their 13th-placed finish last season.

The Shrimpers shot up the table after a run of 11 league games without defeat, winning four games in the space of two weeks at the end of October, scoring 11 and conceding zero in the process.

Nonetheless, consecutive defeats to relegation-threatened opponents have brought Kevin Maher's men crashing back down to earth.

A return to Roots Hall, where they are unbeaten in five, could inspire a much-needed return to form.

The visitors may be down in 16th, but they are only eight points behind fifth-placed Southend, underlining the competitive nature of the National League this season.

Manager Phil Parkinson is approaching five years in charge at The Robins, having achieved two promotions during his highly successful stint with the Greater Manchester club.

Despite patchy form, his side have already built an 11 point gap between themselves and the relegation places, with a 2-1 win over Eastleigh last time out further bolstering their safe position in mid-table.

Only winning once on the road all the season, they will certainly be up against it as they face promotion hopefuls in desperate need of a result.

Team News

The hosts have been boosted by the return of Nathan Ralph, who started his first game in over two months last time out at Aldershot.

However, attacking duo Harry Cardwell and Callum Powell are facing a race against time to be fit for this one, nursing foot and knee injuries respectively.

For the visitors, Ross Barrows looks likely to be spending some time on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

Otherwise, Parkinson should not stray too far from the formula that beat Eastleigh, as Ryan Colclough looks to continue his recent goalscoring form.

Southend United possible starting lineup:
Andeng-Ndi; Kensdale, Mooney, Ralph, Scott-Morriss; Fonguck, Miley, Bridge, Hobson; Lopata, Cosgrove

Altrincham possible starting lineup:
Byrne; Baines, Mullarkey, J. Jones, E. Jones; Conn-Clarke, Marriott, Lundstram, Newby; Jennings, Colclough

We say: Southend United 2-1 Altrincham

We are expecting a competitive game here, as a slipping-and-sliding Southend meet an Altrincham side buoyed by a recent win.

However, the hosts should have enough quality to grind out three important points.

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