We bring you everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's League Two trip to Roots Hall.
Southend United v Barrow
Saturday 9th January 2021, 3pm
Roots Hall
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Southend United remain bottom of the League Two table ahead of Barrow’s visit to Roots Hall this weekend but The Shrimpers have cut the gap to safety on the back of a productive December.
Mark Moseley’s men were beaten just once in six games throughout last month and have picked up three points on each of their last three outings on home soil.
It’s an encouraging turnaround for the Essex side, who struggled for form in the early months of the campaign and had to wait until the middle of November for their first league win.
Just like The Bluebirds, Southend United saw their first game of 2021 fall victim to the weather when a proposed trip to Newport County was postponed so they’ll be keen to get back down to business on Saturday.
One To Watch
Simeon Akinola scored his first goal for Southend Untied on Boxing Day when he was on target during their 2-0 triumph over Colchester United at Roots Hall.
The 28-year-old forward had to be patient in waiting for embargo restrictions to be lifted after signing in September which delayed his Shrimpers debut until the middle of last month.
However, the former Barnet and Braintree Town man will be hoping to make up for lost time now he’s up and running in a Southend shirt and he’s a player The Bluebirds will have to keep quiet this weekend.
Head To Head
Saturday’s game will be only the seventh competitive meeting between the two clubs, given that they have shared a division in just three seasons previous to the current one.
You have to back to February 1972 for the last time Barrow took on Southend United – and The Bluebirds came out on top 2-1 that afternoon thanks to goals from Eddie Garbett and local boy Steve Calvert.
Barrow lost on their most recent visit to Roots Hall in October 1971 but did taste victory there on their two previous trips in November 1970 and October 1966.
Referee
Christopher Pollard will take charge of his first Barrow game of the season when he’s the man in the middle for Saturday’s League Two trip to Southend United.
The last time Pollard officiated a Bluebirds fixture was back in August 2017 in the National League when he sent off Jimmy Dunne during a 3-3 draw at Solihull Moors.
He is now in to his second season on the EFL’s list of referees and has overseen 13 games so far this term, most recently Stevenage’s 3-1 win over Scunthorpe In League Two last weekend.
Betting
Barrow have been installed as 23/20 favourites for three points at Roots Hall on Saturday, with hosts Southend United rated an 11/5 shot and the draw available at 23/10 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
Fans in the UK can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while overseas supporters pay £7.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for this weekend’s game.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of this weekend’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Essex for their live coverage, due to BBC Radio Cumbria being prevented from travelling due to COVID-19 restrictions.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.