With 91 of the 92 teams certain of their fate for the 2025/26 campaign, there is one place in the EFL that is still up for grabs. That spot will go to either Oldham Athletic or Southend United, who will face off at Wembley in the National League Playoff Final.
Both sides have spent over a century in the Football League, but they are recovering from significant hardships that have seen them fall out of the EFL. Victory for either team would represent a magnificent milestone after the chaos of the recent years.
If the league is anything to go by, then this clash will be a tight affair. Oldham secured 5th place in the table, with Southend only 2 places behind them in 7th. In their meetings, a late equaliser saw Oldham earn a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park, before Southend won the game at Roots Hall 1-0 to bolster their playoff hopes.
Of course, in a final anything can happen, and both Oldham and Southend will be desperate to earn the victory that will restore their football league status.
Team News
As they bid to earn their first promotion since 1991, Oldham will have to combat a plethora of absentees that will see a number of key players miss out.
The Latics will be without full back Jake Caprice and former Wrexham striker Billy Waters, as they continue to recover from the injuries that saw them miss the end of the season, whilst they are also unable to count on the services of Josh Kay as well as midfielders Matt Worthington, Harry Charsley and Dan Gardner.
However, that list has shortened in recent weeks, as key players like Manny Monthe and Corry Evans have returned to the side, and their contributions will be instrumental if Oldham are to secure promotion.
Southend manager Kevin Maher is already a legend at Roots Hall. He enjoyed a decade long spell as a player, including back to back promotions from League Two to the Championship in 2005 and 2006, before taking over as manager in 2021 and leading them to 9th in the National League last season despite financial difficulties, a winding up petition and the 10 point deduction.
He will have the opportunity to confirm that status with a victory at Wembley that will restore their football league status for the first time since 2021.
However, Maher will be unable to count on the services of James Morton and reserve goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi, as he confirmed in a recent press conference that they would be out injured.
Fortunately though for The Shrimpers, they have no new injury concerns ahead of this clash, and the squad will likely be very similar to the one that defeated Forest Green Rovers on penalties.
Likely Lineups
Oldham Athletic
Hudson; Ogle, Raglan, Monthe; Pritchard, Yoganathan, Evans, Pett, Kitching; Garner, Fondop-Talum
Hayes; Scott-Morriss, Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph; Husin; Appiah-Forson, Coker, Cambers-Parillon; Kendall, Hopper
Key Players
Oldham Athletic: Mike Fondop-Talum
As one of only two players who remain from the Oldham squad that dropped out of the EFL in 2022, Mike Fondop-Talum has been through all the tribulations that the Latics have suffered in recent years.
This season, he has played a crucial role in their resurgence up the table. He is their top scorer with 18 National League goals this season, and has also picked up the most assists having amassed 8 over the course of the campaign.
His performances have seen him win the clubs Player’s and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards, and if he can continue to deliver at Wembley then he will write his name into the Oldham’s history book.
Southend United: Gus Scott-Morriss
If Southend are to get promoted, then Gus Scott-Morriss will have played a crucial role in their success, as the defender has a remarkable 17 goals and 6 assists in the National League, all from right back.
These displays, including the opener in the 1-1 between the sides back in September have seen him fire his side up the table and he has earned a spot in the National League Team of the Season in the process.
If he can repeat the trick at Wembley then it would cap an exceptional season for him that would surely go down in Southend United folklore.
Match Details
Where is the game being played? The final takes place at Wembley Stadium
What time is kick off? The match will commence at 15:00
How can I watch? The game will be broadcast on DAZN
