Southend vs Berkhamsted Prediction

Form through September and October

Southend's National League sample over their last 20 matches reads 9 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses, with 39 goals scored and 27 conceded. That's a side that finds the net regularly but also leaves itself open at the back. Their most recent results have picked up, with a 3-1 home win over AFC Fylde and a heavy away win at Gateshead in there.

Southend: 20 completed matches; Berkhamsted: 20 completed matches.

Southend

20 matches

Win

45% 9 / 20

Draw

30% 6 / 20

Loss

25% 5 / 20

Scored

39

Conceded

27

Difference

+12

Berkhamsted

20 matches

Win

55% 11 / 20

Draw

5% 1 / 20

Loss

40% 8 / 20

Scored

30

Conceded

24

Difference

+6

Berkhamsted's record over the same stretch is 11 wins, 1 draw and 8 losses from 20 games, with 30 goals for and 24 against. Most of that comes from their Southern League Premier campaign, but their cup form stands out, including a 2-0 win away at Redditch United in their most recent FA Cup outing.

Goals have flowed fairly freely for both sides this season, which points more towards an open game than a cagey one.

A cup leveller between two divisions

Southend play their regular football in the National League, a tier above where Berkhamsted normally compete. That gap usually favours the home side on paper, but Southend's defence has been breached regularly this season, conceding 27 times in 20 matches. Berkhamsted, meanwhile, have won their last few cup matches and go into this tie with some momentum rather than fear.

Cup fixtures like this one tend to hinge on whether the favourite's usual game plan holds up against a side playing with nothing to lose. Berkhamsted's goal tally away from home this season suggests they won't simply sit back and absorb pressure.