Ole Alexander Saue previews a crunch game in League Two…
Both teams struggled – but won – in their respective matches this weekend – but on Tuesday night, Bury and Southend United both have the chance to steal the initiative in the chase for the last automatic promotion spot.
The two sides meet following a washout last month when five minutes in, the referee deemed conditions unplayable.
But results since have set the scene for a mouth-watering game at Gigg Lane.
Southend won their fifth game in a row with a late goal giving them a 1-0 win away at Exeter on Saturday, as Ryan Lowe secured Bury three much-needed points by the same scoreline against Portsmouth. But it was Wycombe’s inability to break down AFC Wimbledon which has opened the door for both sides.
“It’s a great game on Tuesday now,” Southend United boss Phil Brown said after the victory. “Bury won today so it’s a real six-pointer for the third place. We’ve won the last five now and six clean sheets in a row – I’m delighted with the mentality of the squad.”
Only one point separates Bury (79) and Southend (78) who sit fourth and fifth in the table. A Bury win will take them above Wycombe and claim the all-important third place, whilst Southend can draw level on points but with a worse goal difference.
Even though the Shrimpers haven’t lost a league game since they were beaten 4-2 away to Stevenage on 21st February, Bury are the bookmaker’s favourites on Tuesday, and are tipped to go all the way up to League One without having to suffer the dramatic play-offs.
They have the home advantage and the luxury of deciding their own fate against Southend, who know that anything other than three points will all but consign them to another year in the play-offs.
Bury manager David Flitcroft has a fully fit squad to pick from. The Shrimpers’ captain John White is likely to be back from injury after being replaced by Ryan Leonard this weekend.
“John White would have been 50/50 today [against Exeter] and I’d say he’s 80/20 for Tuesday, but Lenny [Ryan Leonard] wants the shirt,” the Southend boss said.
Last time the two sides met, in October last year, a second-half header by Craig Jones secured one point for Bury in a game that ended 1-1.
The current situation, though, makes this fixture a defining one with games running out to seal promotion.