Leyton Orient play host to Stockport County on Saturday afternoon with both clubs vying to remain in the League One playoff places.
Both clubs have put together impressive runs of form to sit in sixth and fifth place in the table respectively ahead of this contest.
Match preview
© Imago
At a time when most of the focus is on the battle between the top three, Leyton Orient are going somewhat under the radar as one of the form teams in English football.
Nine wins and two draws have been recorded in their last 11 fixtures in the third tier of English football, their attacking prowess on full show yet again in midweek.
Richie Wellens watched his side post a 6-2 victory away at Exeter City, the solitary downside being that a 10th clean sheet across the aforementioned period was not added.
That mattered little as Leyton Orient edged into the top six on goal difference ahead of playing opponents who they trail by three points and possess a game in hand.
As well as conceding just nine times in 14 league fixtures at Brisbane Road during 2024-25, Leyton Orient are on a run of four successive wins.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Stockport are well and truly back on track after a recent four-game winless streak threatened to undermine their playoff bid.
Three consecutive victories have been registered against Reading, Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town to keep the club on the coattails of fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.
Dave Challinor will be delighted that a three-game winning streak has been put together for the third time this campaign, yet Stockport are yet to extend that to four on the previous two occasions.
Just four victories have come from their 13 league encounters on their travels, an obvious cause for concern when facing a team producing the level of performances as Leyton Orient.
Team News
© Imago
Having established a 4-0 lead at Exeter after just 34 minutes, Wellens was able to make changes to his side throughout the second half.
Although Dan Happe came off the substitutes' bench to make his first appearance in four weeks, the Orient XI could remain the same.
Azeem Abdulai contributed a hat-trick and one assist in the previous fixture, the recent arrival from Swansea City a certain starter on the left flank.
Challinor may also be prepared to stick with the Stockport side that battled their way to a narrow win over Shrewsbury.
Recent arrival Micah Hamilton is likely to stay on the bench, while Lewis Bate may again have to remain patient in his bid to earn a recall in midfield.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Galbraith, Beckles, Cooper, Currie; Pratley, Clare; Markanday, Donley, Abdulai; Kelman
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Connolly, Pye; Southam-Hales, Norwood, Camps, Touray; Collar; Wootton, Olaofe
We say: Leyton Orient 1-1 Stockport County
Both clubs will be backing themselves to come through this fixture with three points given their recent form. However, we feel that a low-scoring stalemate could be on the cards, producing a result that will be deemed acceptable by each manager.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
