Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperate to get their play-off charge back underway, Leyton Orient will welcome Stevenage to Brisbane Road on Thursday night.
Leyton Orient
Starting with the hosts, drawing a line under their nightmare five-match losing rut prior to the fortnight break, Leyton Orient will be desperate to get their play-off charge back on track. Springing an upset last time out as they clinched a 2-1 victory away at Blackpool, Richie Wellens’ side know that they can move within touching distance of the top-six on Thursday night. However, putting just a single League One clean sheet on the board since the middle of January, Orient have also shown some extended inconstancies on home soil. Suffering consecutive 2-1 defeats against Northampton and Charlton this month, Wellens’ camp have lost four of their last six showdowns at Brisbane Road across all competitions. With time starting to tick away, Orient face what is a must-win battle on Thursday night.
Leyton Orient Team News
Suffering yet another injury set-back in November and yet to make a single appearance so far this season, one-time Brentford youngster Theodore Archibald remains on the sidelines. Not featuring over the past couple of months, ex-Shrewsbury defender Omar Beckles is not expected to feature here.
Bagging a brace against Blackpool last time out, QPR loanee Charlie Kelman will spearhead Wellens’ charge in the final third. Despite turning 40 next month, one-time Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley could be handed a full recall.
Stevenage
As for the visitors, although Stevenage might have opened the New Year with a real flurry, Alex Revell’s camp have largely come crashing back down to earth. Despite snatching a 1-1 stalemate away at Reading prior to March’s fortnight break, the Hertfordshire-based outfit have mustered just a single victory from any of their previous five League One appearances. Likewise, Boro have registered just a pair of wins from any of their last 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems back to February 1st. Almost sat in League One limbo, Thursday’s guests have shown some extended issues in the final third. In fact, Stevenage have failed to notch more than a single strike in any of their previous 11 outings against third-tier opposition.
Stevenage Team News
While Nick Freeman might have suffered a first-half knock against Reading prior to the fortnight break, the ex-Leyton Orient defender could feature against his former club here. Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, the duo of Jake Forster-Caskey and Luther Wildin will miss out on Thursday.
Completing a permanent move from Brentford last summer, Charlie Goode will start at the heart of Boro’s defence. Completing a January loan switch from Wycombe, Brandon Hanlan should keep his spot leading the line.
Leyton Orient vs Stevenage Key Factors to Consider
- When Stevenage travelled to Brisbane Road for an EFL Trophy showdown on January 21st, Boro collected a 1-0 victory in the capital.
- Orient have lost four of their previous six matchups at Brisbane Road across all competitions.
- Stevenage have registered just a pair of wins from any of their last 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, Thursday’s guests have failed to notch more than a single strike in any of their previous 11 outings against third-tier opposition.
- Only one of the last 12 meetings between Leyton Orient and Morecambe has finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Watching Stevenage snatch a 1-0 victory when they travelled to Brisbane Road for an EFL Trophy contest on January 21st, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a premium here. With the last three meetings between Orient and Stevenage producing just a pair of goals, they do have a habit of producing uneventful battles. With only one of the last 12 meetings between Thursday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we could be treated to another cagey affair.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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