York City FC
- York City FC are unbeaten in their last five matches (W3, D2).
- York City FC can justify being shorter in the odds to defeat Southend United on Saturday because of their home dominance, extra attacking edge and the fact that Southend have failed to win in their last two trips to the LNER Community Stadium.
- Stuart Maynard’s side have been the class of the National League 2025/2026 with 55 points from 25 games and are set to win the division on that record unless something strange happens in the run-in.
- Maynard’s proactive game plan, which has transformed the Minstermen into promotion contenders since his appointment in August 2025, is built around a compact midfield, high pressing, rapid transitions and a front-foot approach.
- His team can win matches with pace and width or grit and determination as shown in their recent away wins over Altrincham (2-1) and Sutton United (2-1) and their goalless draw at Boreham Wood.
- Ollie Pearce, the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals in 25 games this term, has been in particularly fine form recently with four of York’s seven goals in the last five games.
Southend United
- Southend United have drawn their last four consecutive games.
- Southend, who are 7th in the National League 2025/2026 with 41 points from 23 games, also have a place in the promotion race and arrive in good nick after drawing four and winning one of their last five in all competitions.
- They had drawn 0-0 at Bath City in the FA Trophy last weekend.
Head-to-Head
- The last meeting between these sides, four months ago, ended 0-0 at Southend's ground.
- Southend have failed to win either of their two visits to York this season.
Key Players
- Ollie Pearce, the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals in 25 games this term, has been in particularly fine form recently with four of York’s seven goals in the last five games.
- Gus Scott-Morriss, who has scored both goals in Southend’s last two games in a run of four, can get into the box to do some damage.
- Andrew Dallas, with seven goals in 20 league games, is Southend’s top scorer and biggest threat up front.
Betting Insights
- York City FC are the clear favorites to take the points here at 1.7, with Southend 4.22 to spring a surprise.
- Over 2.5 goals is attractive in the game odds at 1.61 given York’s prolific nature and the firepower they have in their forward line.
Prediction
We’ll take Maynard’s men to edge it as they usually do in the National League, but expect a relatively tight game as Southend will sit deep and play possession football.
