Two sides with contrasting ambitions after the first four games of the League One season will meet on Saturday afternoon when Reading play host to a stuttering Leyton Orient.
The hosts have laid a solid platform so far, currently in eighth place in the league standings with seven points, while the visitors are bottom of the table and yet to earn their first point in 2024-25.
Match preview
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There is a growing sense of optimism around Reading this season, with a potential new takeover on the cards and the club making a few notable moves during the transfer market to bolster the squad in the hopes of challenging for a playoff spot.
So far, the Royals have two wins, one draw and just one loss to their names over the first four games of the season, and come into this one following an impressive performance to beat Charlton Athletic 2-0 before the start of the international break.
Notably, Ruben Selles's side have won both their games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this season, and have yet to concede a goal on home soil, with both matches ending in 2-0 scorelines.
A couple of players that have caught the eye for the Royals this term are Charlie Savage and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, the latter of which had a very impressive pre-season and seems to have locked down the left-wing spot.
While Reading have not beaten this opponent in their last three attempts, losing once and drawing the other two, they will undoubtedly feel that this is as good an opportunity as they are likely to have to end that run, given Leyton's early-season struggles.
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Indeed, the 2024-25 season has been a nightmare to this point for Leyton Orient, who finished in the top half of the table with 65 points in their first season back in League One last term.
The Os have suffered four consecutive defeats against Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City and Shrewsbury Town so far, making them the only side in the division that is yet to get off the mark this season.
Additionally, Richie Wellens will now undoubtedly be feeling the pressure after this side were embarrassingly dumped out of the EFL trophy competition by Arsenal's Under-21s at the start of the month.
The only positive in what has otherwise been a dismal start to the season has been their EFL Cup performances, having beaten Newport County 4-1 and Millwall 1-0 in the first two rounds of the competition.
While this will feel like an absolute must-win for the Os, their recent away record does not inspire much confidence in their chances, as they have lost four of their last five league games on the road and failed to score in all of those defeats as well.
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Team News
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Selles has confirmed that goalkeeper Joel Pereira will be sidelined for the next few weeks due to a twisted ankle, which should see back-up shot-stopper David Button given the nod to start this weekend.
Coniah Boyce-Clarke was also recalled early from international duty with Jamaica as a precaution given that Button missed the start of the season with an injury of his own. On the positive front, Harvey Knibbs is likely to be in contention for selection after a spell on the sideline.
Leyton Orient confirmed the signing of former Ipswich Town and Queens Park Rangers midfielder Dom Ball ahead of the trip to Berkshire, and he will be hoping to make his debut this weekend.
Omar Beckles was left out of the starting lineup for the loss to Shrewsbury and could be brought back to partner Daniel Happe at the heart of the defensive quartet, with Sean Clare and Jayden Sweeney at full-backs.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Elliot, Wing, Savage, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith, Akande
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Clare, Beckles, Happe, Sweeney; Warrington, Jaiyesimi, Obiero, Pratley, Agyei; Kelman
We say: Reading 2-0 Leyton Orient
It does not look good for Leyton Orient at the moment, as they have failed to score a goal on the road this season and have already conceded eight home and away. Reading's home form in the early stages of this campaign has been excellent and we feel they will secure a fairly straightforward victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
![Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Rotherham United manager Steve Evans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Wycombe Wanderers and Rotherham United at Adams Park, High Wycombe, England, on 24 August 2024. [on August 25, 2024]")
