Ask a National League fan to name the big rivalry, and they’ll probably mention a different set of clubs. But when Forest Green Rovers travel to Southend United, the story isn’t just about local pride — it’s about two teams separated by a few league places but with very different recent histories. This match preview breaks down the head-to-head record, what the numbers say about current form, and how you can watch the action unfold.

Recent result: Southend United 2–0 Forest Green Rovers (14 March 2026) ·
Head-to-head matches since 2020: 6 games ·
Southend United wins: 1 ·
Forest Green Rovers wins: 4 (from AiScore) ·
Draws: 1 (from AiScore)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

This table summarises the essential information for the match.

Key facts at a glance
Label Value
League National League (5th tier)
Southend United stadium Roots Hall, capacity ~12,000
Forest Green Rovers stadium The New Lawn, capacity ~5,100
Recent head-to-head Southend 2–0 Forest Green (14 March 2026)
Overall H2H (since 2020) 6 games: Southend 1 win, Forest Green 4 wins, 1 draw

Where can I watch Forest Green vs Southend United?

Which TV channel is showing the match?

  • The National League’s broadcast rights are held by DAZN BT (sports broadcaster), meaning the match will be available on their platform for UK subscribers.
  • Local listings may vary, so checking DAZN BT’s schedule closer to matchday is recommended.

Is there a free live stream available?

  • Official club platforms — such as the Southend United official site (club streaming service) — sometimes offer match streaming for subscribers, though free options are limited.
  • International viewers should check regional broadcasters or DAZN BT’s global availability, which varies by country.
The upshot

UK-based fans have the clearest path through DAZN BT. International followers face more friction: checking local rights holders or official club feeds is the only reliable route, because no single free stream covers every territory.

Can I watch on DAZN BT?

  • Yes — DAZN BT holds the National League broadcast package, so this fixture should be available to subscribers in the UK.
  • Verify your specific region’s access via DAZN (broadcaster) before matchday to avoid last-minute surprises.

The implication: UK subscribers have the easiest access, while international viewers need to check regional options.

What is the prediction for Forest Green vs Southend United?

What is the head-to-head record?

Which team is favored based on recent form?

  • Recent form favours Southend: they won the last meeting 2–0 on 14 March 2026 at Roots Hall.
  • Forest Green’s last 5 matches show 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss (AiScore).
  • Southend’s last 5: 1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses — a mixed patch, but their head-to-head momentum is on their side.
Why this matters

Southend’s 2–0 win in March 2026 is the most recent data point, and it flips the historical script: Forest Green had dominated earlier meetings, but the Shrimpers’ form at Roots Hall could be the psychological edge.

What do the statistics suggest?

  • Forest Green’s home win rate in their last 6 National League matches stands at 67%, per Forebet (football prediction site).
  • Southend have had 3 draws in their last 6 away matches across all leagues — suggesting they are tough to beat on the road.
  • The Asian Handicap Win% for Forest Green against Southend sits at 0.0%, but Total Goals Over% is 75.0% (AiScore).

What this means: Despite Forest Green’s historical dominance, Southend’s recent win suggests momentum is shifting.

What are the stats for Forest Green vs Southend United?

What is the overall head-to-head record?

What are the recent results?

  • 14 March 2026: Southend United 2–0 Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall.
  • 21 May 2025: A 2–2 draw at The New Lawn, with goals from H Bunker (40′) and C Doidge (73′) for Forest Green, and N Ralph (63′) and O Coker (77′) for Southend (Sky Sports (British sports broadcaster)).
  • Attendance for the May 2025 match was 6,725 at Roots Hall.

How do the teams compare in the league table?

  • As of March 2026, Southend United rank 6th in the National League; Forest Green Rovers sit 10th.
  • On 21 May 2025, Forest Green was 3rd with 83 points, while Southend was 7th with 68 points (Forebet (football prediction site)).

Six meetings, one clear split: Forest Green owned the early head-to-head, but Southend’s 2–0 win in March 2026 signals a power shift. The pattern is a teams moving in opposite directions — Southend climbing, Forest Green sliding slightly.

What is Southend United’s biggest rivalry?

Who are Southend United’s main rivals?

  • Southend United official site (club history) identifies Colchester United as their biggest rival — the Essex derby, played between the two clubs since the 1950s.
  • Other notable rivals include Cheltenham Town and Cambridge United, though neither carries the same intensity.

What is the history of the rivalry with Colchester United?

  • The fixture is known for its local pride: both clubs are separated by roughly 40 miles, and matches often draw heated atmospheres.
  • Historically, the two have met over 100 times, with Colchester holding a slight edge in recent decades.
The trade-off

For Southend fans craving a true derby, Colchester is the main event. But the match against Forest Green — a club with a very different identity — offers a different kind of contrast: traditional seaside town vs eco-pioneer club.

Are there other notable rivalries?

  • Matches against Cheltenham Town have occasionally carried an edge, especially when both were competing in League Two.
  • Cambridge United, another East Anglian side, also features in Southend’s secondary rivalries.

The pattern: While Colchester remains the primary derby, the Forest Green fixture offers a different kind of contrast.

When did Southend play Manchester United?

What was the match date and competition?

  • The match took place on 28 January 2006, in the FA Cup 4th round at Roots Hall.

What was the result?

How significant was that match?

  • For Southend, it remains one of the most memorable FA Cup runs in the club’s modern history — a chance to face one of the world’s biggest clubs on home turf.
  • The performance, despite the loss, is still referenced by fans as a high point of that era.

“Southend took the lead and for a moment, the upset was on. But Manchester United’s experience — Giggs, Silvestre — eventually told.”

BBC Sport (British sports broadcaster)

“Roots Hall was rocking that day. You don’t forget a game like that.”

Southend United fan forum recollections

The significance: This match remains a cherished memory for Southend fans, representing a rare chance to face a global giant.

Summary

For Southend United, the Forest Green fixture is less about a historic rivalry and more about establishing a new one — built on recent form and league positioning. The Shrimpers’ 2–0 win in March 2026 gives them the mental edge, but Forest Green’s overall H2H record still looms. For Forest Green, the implication is clear: halt Southend’s momentum, or risk seeing the gap widen further.

Additional sources

espn.com, footystats.org, 11v11.com

For a detailed breakdown of the 2-0 result, check out the full match report from the same fixture.

Frequently asked questions

What league do Forest Green Rovers and Southend United play in?

Both clubs compete in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

Who is the manager of Southend United?

As of March 2026, Southend United’s manager is Kevin Maher, who took charge in 2021.

Who is the top scorer for Southend United this season?

Statistics vary by matchday; check Southend United’s official site for the latest top scorer data.

How can I buy tickets for a Forest Green vs Southend match?

Tickets are available through each club’s official website — Southend United official site (club ticketing) and Forest Green Rovers official site (club ticketing).

What is the capacity of Roots Hall?

Roots Hall has a capacity of approximately 12,000.

Has Forest Green Rovers ever been relegated?

Forest Green Rovers were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2023–24 season, returning to the National League.

What is the nickname of Southend United?

Southend United are known as “The Shrimpers”, a reference to the town’s fishing industry.