Oldham and Southend meet in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with a place in the English Football League at stake. Both teams upset the odds in the semi-finals to reach the final, beating teams that finished higher than them in the league table.
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Oldham vs Southend prediction: Tie to go all the way?
Key stats
- Oldham have won their last three games to nil, scoring nine goals.
- Southend are unbeaten in six matches, winning their last two to reach the final.
- Southend are unbeaten in the last four H2Hs.
Correct score prediction: Oldham 1-1 Southend (Oldham to win after extra-time and/or penalties)
Southend have forced their previous two play-off opponents into extra-time and/or penalties, and could do so again at Wembley. Oldham are in great form though, and should be confident to get over the line one way or another, especially considering they finished above Southend in the table.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Oldham slight favourites
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Oldham are slight favourites to win in normal time, just above a Southend victory. A draw is the least favoured outcome according to the implied probabilities.
Also, feel free to check out our Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Southend have upper hand
As mentioned, Southend are unbeaten in the previous four meetings, winning two of them to nil. This should give them encouragement heading to Wembley, although Oldham will also be confident of getting a positive result.
England National League 29/03/25
Southend
Oldham
England National League 07/09/24
Oldham
Southend
England National League 02/03/24
Oldham
Southend
England National League 05/08/23
Southend
Oldham
England National League 18/04/23
Oldham
Southend
Oldham preview: Stick to winning formula?
Oldham have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions heading to Wembley. This means they could potentially field the same starting XI that impressively beat York 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Predicted lineup: Hudson (GK), Raglan, Hogan, Hobson, Freeman, Lundstram, Conlon, Pritchard, Kitching, Garner & Fondop
England National League 20/05/25
W
York
0
Oldham
3
England National League 14/05/25
W
Halifax
0
Oldham
4
England National League 05/05/25
W
Ebbsfleet United
0
Oldham
2
England National League 26/04/25
L
Forest Green
1
Oldham
0
England National League 21/04/25
D
York
1
Oldham
1
Southend preview: Unchanged as well?
Like Oldham, Southend also have no new injury worries or suspensions to report. This means they could also be unchanged from the semi-finals, where they beat Forest Green 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra-time.
Predicted lineup: Andeng-Ndi (GK), Scott-Morriss, Hobson, Lopata, Ralph, Husin, Bridge, Mooney, Fonguck, Ferguson & Kendall
England National League 21/05/25
W
Forest Green
2 (2)
Southend
2 (4)
England National League 15/05/25
W
Rochdale
3
Southend
4
England National League 05/05/25
D
Gateshead
0
Southend
0
England National League 26/04/25
W
Wealdstone
0
Southend
3
England National League 21/04/25
W
Ebbsfleet United
0
Southend
4
Player to watch: Joe Garner
Joe Garner is a highly experienced player and has multiple games under his belt in the English Football League. Now, he is trying to help Oldham reach the promised land.
Garner has started in each of Oldham's last three wins, including two play-off matches, and has notched up an impressive four goals and one assist. Nonetheless, the striker could prove a real handful for Southend at Wembley, and could be the difference between Oldham winning promotion and not.