Oldham Athletic vs Southend United: Preview, team news, prediction for National League Promotion Final

The curtain falls on the National League season on Sunday, when Oldham and Southend meet with the prospect of a return to the Football League on the line. 

Both these former EFL clubs have been through the ringer in recent seasons, but a win in the Promotion Final would be a first step on a rise back up the football pyramid. 

It is perhaps not the expected line-up for the final, but Oldham blasted their way past Halifax and then favourites York to get to Wembley, while Southend came through Rochdale and then a dramatic penalty shootout win over Forest Green to book their place under the famous Arch. 

It's the Shrimpers who have the better head-to-head this season, but face an Oldham team who have spent the majority of the campaign in the top seven. 

Here's all you need to know about the National League Promotion Final. 

Oldham vs Southend: Head-to-head and recent statistics

• All-time meetings: 41
• Oldham wins: 1
• Draws: 11
• Southend wins: 13

Oldham hold an overall winning record over the Essex side, but have failed to beat them this season. 

Odham vs Southend, where to watch 

• Date: Sunday, 1 June 
• Kick off: 3pm BST
• Live on DAZN 

Oldham vs. Southend: What the managers are saying

Micky Mellon, Oldham 

(via DAZN) 

"It's huge. I've just got to get on with playing the game now. I understand all the things that've been said about how long it's been and all that, but again, there's not much I can do about that. I've just got to look forward now and do the best I can with the group of players that I've got to try and get us up a division. That is it really for me, I won't be thinking about anything else because that's all I can do." 

Kevin Maher, Southend 

(via DAZN) 

"Listen, the story at Southend has been well documented over the last two or three years of what's happened in terms of coming down through League 1, League 2 and now the National League and the struggles that the club has had. You can see what a mood it brings around the city. The fans and the numbers they turn up in. It would mean everything to the city. And we're at the start of the journey, obviously, with a takeover. So, whatever happens this year, that journey is going to continue. 

"But of course, we want to take it as far as we can to get out of this league." 

Oldham vs Southend prediction

As we've seen from the EFL Play-offs, these occasions are tight affairs and it will see two teams with huge momentum walking out at Wembley. Once again, there may only be one goal in it, with the Latics shading it on the day. 

Prediction: Oldham 2-1 Southend 

DAZN

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