- League positions: Southend are 3rd in the National League with 24 points from 12 matches, Boston United are 20th with 12 from 12.
- Southend form: The Shrimpers are on a roll, W3, D1 and L1 from their last five in all competitions.
- Boston form: Boston are a mixed bag, W1, D2 and L2 from their last five in all competitions.
Southend should have the edge in a tight National League matchup
Match outlook
Southend have a solid chance of winning against Boston United FC at Jakemans Community Stadium, but we can't pass up on the draw odds or the fact that this looks like a typical road assignment on paper.
Boston recent form
The Pilgrims come into the matchup off a wretched run of 0-1 home loss to AFC Fylde, 1-1 away at FC Halifax Town and 6-0 away defeat to Yeovil Town. The last clash finished 3-3 here in National League 2025/2026, while Southend have failed to win either of their previous two away games here.
Southend recent form and tactical note
But the form book suggests Southend United are in top shape, having just beaten AFC Fylde 3-1 after a 1-1 away at Eastleigh and a 2-4 home loss to Barrow. The game could be a chess match because Boston United boss Paul Hurst has honed a team with a solid tactical flexibility and a settled 4-3-3 or back-three look that likes to control and sit in games.
Sharper Shrimpers have more in the locker
Kieron Dyer has brought an intensity to the Shrimpers which is evident in their ability to press in a 4-3-3, and when they have the ball, they are quicker in transition. So this matchup could be about which way the wind is blowing and we're taking the visitors to have more in the locker right now.
Boston have only won 1, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their 6 National League home games and have scored just 0.83 goals per home game and conceded 1.50. They are a little better away from home, but we don't think they can hold the visitors back. Southend are the favorites at 2.02, but we're willing to take Boston at 3.3 and the draw at 3.7 as a safer play here. We can split these two teams based on recent form or the last four head-to-heads, but The Pilgrims are coming off a rough patch, so the slightly better odds on the visitor is our choice.
Side with Southend to edge tight contest
Goalscorers
Under 2.5 goals at 2.3 appeals as a smart play for a tight matchup in which Boston will try to control the pace and Southend will aim to play at speed. A safer way to go is to add 'or draw' to our main bet and take Southend or draw with under 3.5 goals in the matchup as the away side should just edge it if Boston manage to keep things tight.
- Kenneth Aboh has netted three times in 11 National League games for Boston United, who don't have many other reliable sources of goals.
- However, Tom Cursons has notched two in their last five games.
- Leon Chambers-Parillon is Southend's targetman, scoring six goals in 11 National League appearances, while Sam Austin has hit four in their most recent five matchup surge.
