Southend United are looking to win back-to-back games in the National League for the first time this season when they welcome Woking to Roots Hall on Saturday.

Woking will want to get back to winning ways after defeat last time out, which has left Alan Dowson's side seven points off the playoff positions with a game in hand on seventh-placed Notts County.

Match preview

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Southend were knocked out of the FA Cup in round one last weekend, when they visited fellow National League outfit Chesterfield, who progressed as 3-1 winners over United.

That disappointment followed a boost in the league having won 4-1 at Roots Hall against bottom side Dover Athletic, thanks to goals from Sam Dalby, Jack Bridge and a first-half brace from Rhys Murphy.

Victory at the beginning of this month was crucial for Kevin Maher's new side, after Southend had experienced a three-game losing run at the end of October.

Southend currently sit 20th in the National League and only three points separate themselves and the relegation zone, but having now had some time as manager of this squad, Maher will be targeting a string of positive results.

Woking won five of their first eight league games this season, but since then Dowson's side have only managed one victory in their last five outings.

That came as a 3-2 win against Altrincham, but was followed up with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bromley last time out, meaning that Woking have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four games.

The Cardinals are yet to draw a game this campaign, winning six and losing seven of their first 13 matches, but turning some of those draws into wins will boost Woking's climb up the table.

Woking have shown their capability in front of goal this season, netting 23 times in 13 games, and Tahvon Campbell has played a big role in the attacking third, scoring nine of Woking's goals so far.

The visitors are unlikely to keep a clean sheet on Saturday, having only kept two all season, but they will want to get back to winning ways on their travels also, after losing their last two away games.

Team News

On-loan midfielder from Sheffield United, Zak Brunt, was shown a straight red card deep into stoppage time against Chesterfield in the FA Cup last weekend, but he will be available for Southend on Saturday after the club won their appeal against the decision.

Nathan Ferguson came back into the starting lineup last time out, after Harry Phillips started in his place against Dover, and Southend are expected to continue with Ferguson and Jimmy Dunne in the middle of the pitch.

The hosts will play in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Shaun Hobson, Kacper Lopata and John White operating as the defensive trio, while Murphy and Dalby lead the line at the other end of the pitch.

Dowson could name an unchanged lineup for the third game in a row, which would mean Campbell will lead the line with Inih Effiong, who has four goals in 11 appearances this season.

Goalkeeper Craig Ross will continue between the posts for Woking as he has done every game this season, while Josh Casey, Moussa Diarra, Kyran Lofthouse and Louie Annesley sit in front of the number one in a back four.

Southend United possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Hobson, Lopata, White; Bridge, Ferguson, Dunne, Howard; Brunt; Murphy, Dalby

Woking possible starting lineup:
Ross; Casey, Diarra, Lofthouse, Annesley; Kretzschmar, Ince, Nwabuokei, Champion; Effiong, Campbell

We say: Southend United 1-2 Woking

Southend will want to bounce back after FA Cup disappointment, but they come up against a side which has shown more quality this season which is demonstrated by their seven more points in the league.

Woking will be confident travelling to Southend, but it is likely to be a cagey affair as the visitors have recently shown weaknesses during their string of defeats not so long ago.

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