Southend United vs FC Halifax Town prediction
Full analysisTeam news, injuries and lineups read by our AI scouts, updated when the official lineups are out. How it works
KickoffHour pre-match forecast
Who wins?
Southend to win: 58%, about 3 in 5
Goals call3+ goals 66% · bookies 66% · ✓ 4 goals
The Verdict
Our numbers stay close to the bookmakers', moving only one point from home to away relative to the no-vig market, since Johnson's absence is marginal and Halifax's form is already priced in. The Coach's view was not followed, as its ten-point shift toward Southend overstates the impact of a goalkeeper who has not played league football this season.
What our AI analysts say
1 of 3 think Southend United's chances are better than the bookmakers say.
The Coach
tactics and lineupsSouthend United's stable lineup and motivation provide a significant tactical advantage.
Southend United is expected to field a strong XI after cup rotation. FC Halifax Town is missing their captain and goalkeeper Sam Johnson, who is loaned out until 3 January. Southend is motivated to recover morale following their recent FA Cup exit.
Southend: strongly underrated
High✗ Wrong The Dressing Room
mood and pressureSouthend's strongest XI back after cup flop, at home to a lower-placed Halifax
Southend sit 3rd with the league's stronger goal difference, but arrive off a shock home cup defeat to seventh-tier Berkhamsted. Manager Dyer admitted too many changes and says his strongest XI will now play most games. Halifax come in with three wins from five.
The Sceptic
where the market may be wrongSouthend at full strength at Roots Hall may be slightly undervalued
Market has Southend 57.4%, Halifax 20.9%.
AI analysts are automated roles, not people. Their leans are not betting tips. Who reads the game best
In short
Southend United, third in the National League, host FC Halifax Town at Roots Hall. Boss Kieron Dyer has said his strongest XI will play most games after nine changes backfired in the FA Cup. Halifax have won three straight in all competitions but have loaned out club-captain goalkeeper Sam Johnson.
More markets
Win or draw (double chance)
- Southend United win or draw
- 80%
- Either team wins (no draw)
- 78%
- FC Halifax Town win or draw
- 42%
Goals in the match (over/under)
- 2+ goals
- 85%
- 3+ goals
- 66%
- 4+ goals
- 44%
Both teams score (BTTS)
- Yes
- 63%
- No
- 37%
We expect about 2.2 goals from Southend United and 1.2 from FC Halifax Town. (expected goals)
Most likely score: 2–1 (10%). Even the likeliest exact score happens only about 1 time in 10. Next: 1–1 (9%), 2–0 (8%), 1–0 (7%), 3–1 (7%).
How we got to these numbers
| Home | Draw | Away | 3+ goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookmakers | 57% | 22% | 21% | 66% |
| Goals model | 50% | 23% | 27% | 66% |
| AI analysts | 56% | 22% | 22% | 66% |
| Our forecast | 58% | 22% | 20% | 66% |
Verdict: Our numbers stay close to the market because the concrete positives for Southend - a committed strongest XI and home advantage - are partly offset by the cup defeat and Halifax's current winning run, while Johnson's loan has limited sporting impact given his lack of league minutes.
Our forecast starts from the bookmakers' prices and moves only by what the news justifies, capped at 8 percentage points per outcome. Methodology
Prediction history
Frozen at kick-off. Version 2 is the one that counts in our track record. Every version is in the public ledger (how to check).
Form
All competitions, newest first.
Southend United: last 6
LWWDLW · 15 scored, 10 conceded
| 17 Oct | vs Berkhamsted FA Cup | 1–2 | L |
| 10 Oct | at Boston United | 2–1 | W |
| 3 Oct | vs AFC Fylde | 3–1 | W |
| 30 Sep | at Eastleigh | 1–1 | D |
| 26 Sep | vs Barrow | 2–4 | L |
| 19 Sep | at Gateshead | 6–1 | W |
Last 5 at home: LWLWW
FC Halifax Town: last 6
WWWWDL · 15 scored, 8 conceded
| 17 Oct | vs South Shields FA Cup | 3–2 | W |
| 13 Oct | vs Stoke City U21 National League Cup | 4–2 | W |
| 10 Oct | vs Gateshead | 4–1 | W |
| 3 Oct | at Solihull Moors | 2–0 | W |
| 29 Sep | vs Boston United | 1–1 | D |
| 26 Sep | at Worthing | 1–2 | L |
Last 5 away: WLWLL
Season stats
| Southend United | FC Halifax Town | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.38 | Goals scored per game | 1.69 |
| 1.46 | Goals conceded per game | 1.15 |
| 2.17 | Scored per game at home | 2.14 |
| 2.57 | Scored per game away | 1.17 |
| 77% | Matches over 2.5 goals | 54% |
| 92% | Both teams scored | 62% |
| 8% | Clean sheets | 31% |
| 0% | Failed to score | 8% |
| 2.00 | Yellow cards per game | 1.77 |
League matches only, 13 games each.
When goals come
| Minutes | Southend United | FC Halifax Town |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 min | ||
| 16–30 min | ||
| 31–45 min | ||
| 46–60 min | ||
| 61–75 min | ||
| 76–90 min |
National League table
| # | Team | Pld | Goal diff. | Points | League form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boreham Wood | 14 | +25 | 38 | WWWWW |
| 2 | Harrogate Town | 14 | +14 | 31 | WWWWW |
| 3 | Southend United | 14 | +12 | 28 | DWWDL |
| 4 | Worthing | 14 | +10 | 27 | WWWDW |
| 5 | Altrincham | 14 | +2 | 27 | WWLWW |
| 6 | Yeovil Town | 14 | +16 | 25 | LWWDW |
| 7 | AFC Fylde | 14 | +2 | 23 | LWLLW |
| 8 | FC Halifax Town | 14 | +7 | 21 | DWWDL |
| 9 | Barrow | 13 | +6 | 21 | WWWWW |
| 10 | AFC Hornchurch | 14 | -5 | 21 | LWLWL |
| 11 | Carlisle | 14 | +4 | 20 | WDWWL |
Head-to-head
Last 6 meetings: Southend United won 5, FC Halifax Town 0, 1 draw; 3.7 goals per game.
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 2026 | FC Halifax Town | 2–6 | Southend United | National League |
| 6 Sep 2025 | Southend United | 3–0 | FC Halifax Town | National League |
| 11 Feb 2025 | Southend United | 3–1 | FC Halifax Town | National League |
| 30 Nov 2024 | FC Halifax Town | 0–2 | Southend United | National League |
| 6 Jan 2024 | Southend United | 3–0 | FC Halifax Town | National League |
| 9 Sep 2023 | FC Halifax Town | 1–1 | Southend United | National League |
Team news: lineups Expected
No reliable expected lineup yet. Confirmed lineups usually arrive about an hour before kick-off.
Team news: injuries and suspensions
No confirmed absences reported.
Key facts
- Southend are third in the National League with 27 points from 13 games; Halifax are 10th with 20 points.[3]
- Southend are unbeaten away this season (W4 D3 L0) but have lost two of six home league games.[1]
- Southend lost 1-2 at home to seventh-tier Berkhamsted in the FA Cup on 17 October after making nine changes, and Dyer admitted there were 'maybe too many changes'.[3]
- Dyer says he now knows his strongest XI, who will 'play the majority of the games', suggesting a settled side against Halifax.[3]
- Halifax have lost four of six away league games this season (W2 D0 L4).[1]
- Halifax goalkeeper and club captain Sam Johnson has joined Solihull Moors on loan until 3 January, though he has made no league appearances this season.[4][5]
Sources
- southendunited.co.uk – Preview: FC Halifax Town (H) - Southend United Football Club (2026-10-23)
- bbc.co.uk – Aim toxic comments at me, not players - Dyer (2026-10-19)
- ca.sports.yahoo.com – Solihull sign Halifax goalkeeper Johnson on loan - Yahoo (2026-10-23)
- bbc.co.uk – Solihull sign Halifax goalkeeper Johnson on loan - BBC (2026-10-23)
Off the pitch
- Dyer publicly asked critics to aim toxic comments at him rather than his players after the cup defeat, indicating pressure on the manager.[3]
Match context
- Stadium
- Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
- 12,392 seats · grass
- Travel for FC Halifax Town
- 297 km
- Rest days
- Southend United 7FC Halifax Town 7
- Matches in the last 14 days: Southend United 1 · FC Halifax Town 2
- Weather at kick-off
- 12°C · wind 26 km/h
- Rain expected
- Coaches
- Kieron Dyer
- Southend United, since Aug 2026
- A. Lakeland
- FC Halifax Town, since Jul 2025
- Goals in this league
- National League average: 3.10 per match
Published UK time (GMT) · Updated UK time (GMT)
This analysis was generated automatically by an AI model from public sources. How it works →
18+ · Predictions are probabilities, not certainties. If you bet, bet only what you can afford to lose. Responsible gambling
