Swansea head to Roots Hall on Good Friday to take on the Shrimpers - Planet Swans previews the match

The weekend fixture list means they play first out of the top three and could gain a massive psychological advantage by getting themselves three points before Doncaster kick off and 24 hours before Carlisle take to the pitch.  Of course, it won't be easy but after the midweek win at Bristol Rovers you would assume that confidence has returned to its high level at the Liberty.

Victory as well would take the Swans past the 80 point barrier and within touching distance of their most successful season - points wise to date - and nobody can sniff at a total of 80 points from 38 games should it happen.

Southend though are chasing a play off spot of their own and should not be under estimated by any means even though the Swans despatched them with some ease at the Liberty back in December.   However, with the home side very much in the play off hunt they will also be looking to secure a win in the first of the two Easter fixtures for both sides.  

Team news wise there is still no return for captain Garry Monk for the Swans - he misses out again through injury whilst Dennis Lawrence should recover in time from an ankle injury to take his place in defence.  Andy Robinson faces a late fitness test to see if he can play whilst Febian Brandy starts the first of his three match suspension following his sending off at Bristol Rovers.

Southend United's top goal-scorer Nicky Bailey will undergo a late fitness test before the visit of leaders Swansea.

Midfielder Charlie Mulgrew also has a hamstring problem and is a doubt, but Lee Barnard, Matt Harold and Charlie MacDonald are all available again.

Prediction wise again this is hard to call but I think the Swans excellent away record and the fact they can smell the promotion that appears to be around the corner will stand us in good stead and for some reason I am ultra confident ahead of the fixture and think the Swans will sneak it by two goals again - 3-1 Swansea.

Paddy Power says: We can't split the two sides on this occasion and go 6-4 for wins for both Southend and Swansea.  With the draw at 11-5 it's very much the outside bet but this really is a close encounter despite the vast points difference between the two sides.  For those that like a real big flutter there can be a tradition that these holiday games produce some serious levels of goals - how does anyone fancy the 3-3 draw at 50-1 to entertain the Good Friday crowd?   You can view the full range of markets offered by Paddy Power on this game by clicking here

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