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English Football League

League One Play-off Betting: Doncaster v Southend

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Richard Walker explains why watching live play-off football is the new going out. More importantly though, he tells us why the draw is the best bet in tonight's match.

These two sides have had a week to contemplate who might have the upper hand after a goalless draw at Roots Hall last Friday.

Both teams will have watched the Carlisle-Leeds second leg last night and have been contemplating having to get past the Elland Road giants at Wembley. A daunting prospect given the Whites' apparent resolution to make a success out of such a perversely contrary year for them.

Still, let me not deflect your attention away any longer. It's a couple of weeks to payday and watching a play-off second leg on a Friday night is the new going out, don't you know? A drink or two of something refreshingly cold, and interest or three via the Betfair markets and suddenly Donny v Southend will be a game of Champions League proportions!

Nil-nil from the first leg, it seemed neither Steve Tilson nor Sean O'Driscoll were prepared to commit themselves to the open style of play that's got their respective sides in the top six. If there's one thing I've noticed about the second legs so far, it's that the clubs who resolve to 'go for it' are seemingly enjoying greater success - so let's hope this match is more thrilling than the game of chess witnessed in Essex this time last week.

Hosts Rovers are [2.02] to back at the Keepmoat (where they've done most of this campaign's winning), United are [4.3] with the draw at odds of [3.5]. Unlike some layer-distorded Match Odds we've seen of late, this is a split I'm more accustomed to and I'm recommending laying the visiting Shrimpers to a [4.5] liability. I can't seem them having enough to outdo O'Driscoll's footballing masterclass pupils - and in fact it's really the draw I want on my side most.

Why was it a goalless draw? Well, apart from the understandable caution, unlike a Beckford at Leeds or a Graham at Carlisle, neither side has a top goalscorer who really made this season his own.

Southend might have striker Lee Barnard back tonight and he's perhaps the most prolific given his nine goals - a total reached by around five Shrimpers' players this term - have come from only 11 starts.

The former Spurs trainee moved to Roots Hall permanently in January and is trying to shake off an ankle injury so he'll play some part I reckon. Back him at [3.95] to make the scoresheet at some point (To Score market) while availing of the home side's James Coppinger - a tricky winger - to chip in at odds of [6.2] from the same list. The quicksilver wide man's about [15.0] to do so first in the game. Have a go!

It might also pay to include my first leg selection Nick Bailey, the Southend midfielder. If Barnard's not going to start, perhaps the effervescent copper-top might notch at around [10.0].

I would have stuck with Paul Heffernan but he headbutted Peter Clarke last Friday so is out. They might have Player of the Year Richie Wellens back in the reckoning, might Donny - and that would give them added bite in central midfield, something they were lacking during the away leg. I suspect he'll play through a hernia complaint and that adds weight to my Southend lay argument.

A repeat of seven days ago, 0-0 at 90 minutes, rates a [10.5] chance in the Correct Score list so can be included with one or two other selections at the price. One-all's [7.2] to back while 1-0 to O'Driscoll's stylists is at odds of [8.0]. They should probably be in your portfolio.

These binary scorelines lead me to suggest Unders, at [1.71], in the Over/Under 2,5 goals market, however the way these play-offs have been going anything's possible. Overs is backable at [2.28] and I couldn't put you off that either.

These play-offs are tough to call and this game's no different; so if you're lucky enough to have a hunch, go with it and stick with it. Happy Friday night!