Forest Green Rovers v Southend United: Forecast, Odds and Bets

May 19, 2025

The National League showdown between Forest Green Rovers and Southend United is set for Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at 19:45 BST. Fans in Italy, Germany, France and Spain can catch all the action live at 20:45 CEST.

Both clubs have everything to play for in this opening-round fixture, and expectations are high for a competitive encounter at The New Lawn. Whether you’re backing your team from home or placing a bet, here’s all you need to know before kick-off.

How are both teams coming into this?

Forest Green Rovers arrive in confident mood after a solid pre-season build-up. The Green Devils showed resilience in recent friendlies, keeping clean sheets and demonstrating a willingness to control possession in midfield.

Southend United, meanwhile, will look to build on a positive finish to last season. The Shrimpers impressed with quick transitions and set-piece routines, and they’ll be keen to test Forest Green’s defence early on.

Our forecast

This encounter promises to be tight from the first whistle. Both sides have defensive strengths, so we expect a cautious start with few clear-cut chances in the opening 30 minutes.

In our view, a 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome, but a slim advantage could swing in Forest Green’s favour if they convert a corner or free-kick opportunity. Southend’s counter-attacking threat could also yield a goal, making this a classic toss-up.