Hartlepool put in a professional performance last weekend to dispatch East Thurrock in the FA Cup but where League Two is concerned, Paul Murray’s men remain bottom and bookies don’t expect them to remedy the situation today as they travel to Southend.

Bet365 rate Pools as 11/2 outsiders to win at Roots Hall, where the Shrimpers are Stan James’ 8/15 favourites and it’s 3/1 courtesy of BetVictor to finish all square.

That was the outcome in last season’s corresponding fixture and a repeat of the 1-1 scoreline from that one is a 15/2 chance at BetVictor. Alternatively, any score draw is a 4/1 chance at Paddy Power and it’s 18/1 with Skybet for Hartlepool to again come back from a half-time deficit to grab a point.

Where bet365’s handicaps are concerned, Murray’s troops benefit from a goal start at odds of 7/5 and Winner.com chalk them up at 10/3 in the Draw No Bet market. However, Southend have won just one of their last seven and were turned over at home by non-league Chester last weekend in the FA Cup so Pools might fancy their chances.

Stan James quote them at 13/2 to come out on top by a one-goal margin, a wager that covers both a 2-1 (19/1, BetVictor) or 1-0 (14/1, William Hill) away success and Ladbrokes mark 10/1 against Murray’s charges shading it despite a level first half.

In attack Jonathan Franks is 14/1 (bet365) to follow last week’s brace by breaking the deadlock in this one, the opener is 21/10 via betway to be struck by any Pools player and Stan James go 9/10 about the contest generating at least three goals.

England have made an excellent start to Euro 2016 qualifying, winning their opening three matches without conceding a goal and if they get the better of second-placed Slovenia at Wembley today, Roy Hodgson’s boys could be six points clear at the summit of Group E.

Stan James price them at 1/3 while the confident visitors will believe that they’ve been underestimated by Ladbrokes, who chalk them up at 11/1 despite back-to-back victories against Switzerland and Lithuania.

Hodgson’s men had trouble penetrating a committed Estonian defence last time out, which might prompt one or two punters to back a stalemate at 4/1 via bet365.

Similarly, there could be market support for a goalless encounter at 21/2 (BetVictor) but the Slovenians have already lost in Tallinn and in front of their own supporters, the Three Lions should edge it.

The pair’s last meeting, in the 2010 World Cup, saw England prevail 1-0 and a repeat is 9/2 courtesy of betway. Alternatively, Skybet rate any triumph for the home side by one at 5/2 and William Hill go 16/5 about Hodgson’s charges coming out on top following an inconclusive first period.

Wayne Rooney (3/1, Winner.com) and Danny Welbeck (4/1, Paddy Power) dominate the first scorer betting but there might be some value in thinking slightly outside of the box where goals are concerned.

If England struggle to break down the visitors, set-pieces could prove crucial and Phil Jagielka is certainly a threat in that department. The Everton man has struck four times in 11 outings for club and country so bet365’s 33/1 about him notching first here catches the eye alongside the firm’s 14/1 for Jagielka to net at any stage.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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