Forest Green vs Southend prediction for the match on May 21, 2025
Forest Green
Southend
On May 21, the "New Lawn" will host the National League play-off semi-final, where Forest Green faces off against Southend. I'm offering a bet for this match on goals, cards, or the winner.
Forest Green
The club first made headlines as the pioneering vegan project in professional football. They even broke into League One. However, in 2023, the newcomers were relegated—a familiar fate for debutants. But things got worse: they finished bottom in League Two the following season, dropping even further down the pyramid.
In the National League, Forest Green started off reasonably well. However, the local rules only allow the top team an automatic promotion spot—and that honor, without question, went to Barnet. Despite racking up an impressive 83 points, Forest Green had to settle for third place at the end of the regular season. They waited for the results of the previous round of play-offs, only now entering the battle for promotion.
Southend
Next year marks the club's 120th anniversary. Remarkably, they made it to the Championship right on their centenary. Staying there proved impossible, and soon financial and sporting issues emerged. The club even faced threats of liquidation, but ultimately found themselves competing in the fifth tier, finishing only ninth a year ago.
This season, Southend have made progress—not dramatically, but enough to finish seventh with 68 points, narrowly edging Gateshead. Incidentally, they drew 0-0 with Gateshead in the final round, which was just enough to clinch the last play-off spot. And in the play-offs themselves, they pulled off a 3-2 away victory over Rochdale.
Match facts
- Forest Green are unbeaten in four straight matches
- The team tends to win at home after drawing away
- Southend are on a five-game unbeaten streak, conceding only against Rochdale in the previous round
H2H
The clubs first met in the 2021/2022 season, exchanging away victories. This season, both encounters ended in draws.
Forest Green vs Southend prediction
Bookmakers slightly favor the home side. The safest bet looks to be on Forest Green with a "0" handicap (odds – 1.8).
