Eliminator Preview: Rochdale v Southend United

After Oldham breezed their way into next week's first semi-final who will join them and set-up a tie with Forest Green Rovers?

Both sides go into this game in fairly decent form - Rochdale with one defeat in their last six while the Shrimpers with one defeat in their final seven games.

Only the three sides who finished above Dale during the regular season boast a better home record but the form book always seems to go out the window in the play-offs!

Let's have a look at how these two might get on.

The story so far….
Jimmy McNulty's side have been or thereabouts in the play-off picture for most of the season as a strong finish in April saw them cement their extension to their season.

Southend United on the other hand have only spent two match days of the entire season in the top seven - but you won't see Kevin Maher complaining. A goalless draw at Gateshead saw them edge over the line to set-up tonight's Eliminator clash.

Whoever wins it, we look to set for a big night...

The leading goalscorers
Rochdale
Devante Rodney: 17
Kairo Mitchell: 14
Ian Henderson: 9

Southend United
Gus Scott-Morriss: 17
Charley Kendall: 7
Macaulay Bonne: 5
Oli Coker: 5
James Golding: 5

Head-to-head
15/02/25: Southend United 1-1 Rochdale
19/10/24: Rochdale 0-1 Southend United

What the managers say...
Jimmy McNulty, Rochdale:"We worked hard to get into fourth place for a reason. We weren’t relaxed at fifth or sixth when we knew fourth place was achievable.

"It was more important to be at home than to consider who we would face, because they’re all tough games, as are we for anyone.

"We really wanted to be at home and to enjoy the occasion in front of our fans. I think the fans are appreciative of what we’ve done this season.

"We’ve had a good home record, which hasn’t been the case for many years for us. They’ve played their part in that, and we’ll need them again."

Kevin Maher, Southend United::"We took a while to get going with the embargo and then losing a couple of players so it’s taken some time to get the squad to where it is, but we’ve built momentum as the season has gone on.

"That was the important thing, and we knew it might be a little bit like that at the start of the season.

"If you take our last 25 or 30 games, in terms of the form table we’re really competitive and that’s ultimately why we’ve landed in the play-offs."