Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Wycombe Wanderers make the trip to Brisbane Road to face Leyton Orient knowing that only a win will do if they want to ensure that the automatic promotion race goes to the final weekend.
At a time when the visitors sit in third position in the League One table, the home side are sixth and in a battle with Reading for the final playoff spot.
Match preview
© Iconsport
Having lost four times in their last 12 matches, Wycombe can perhaps feel fortunate to remain active in the race for second spot behind champions Birmingham City.
Nevertheless, following a three-game winning streak with a 4-0 defeat at home to Charlton Athletic has really set them back in their efforts to seal promotion.
Not only has the loss gifted Wrexham a two-point advantage with two fixtures remaining, the two teams have the same goal difference and Charlton remain a factor behind them.
Mike Dodds now has a job on his hands to lift his players ahead of the final double-header, particularly when in-form fifth-placed side Stockport County are to come on the final weekend.
On a positive note, Wycombe remain with the best away record in the division, accumulating 42 points from 22 games and scoring 43 times in the process.
© Imago
As for Leyton Orient, they welcome the Chairboys to Brisbane Road as one of the form teams in the third tier having prevailed in their last four matches.
Despite not keeping a clean sheet in that quartet of games, Richie Wellens‘s side have scored 12 times and have taken advantage of Reading’s inconsistency.
Ending the regular campaign with two successive wins will be enough to secure sixth place, this game potentially being repeated across two legs in the playoff semi-finals.
Leyton Orient have collected seven points from their last three home fixtures, yet they have still lost seven times in 22 matches on familiar territory this season.
Leyton Orient League One form:
Wycombe Wanderers League One form:
Team News
Daniel Agyei could be restored to the Leyton Orient XI having provided an assist as a substitute at Cambridge.
Dilan Markanday seems most likely to be dropped after his half-time withdrawal, but that could prove to be the only alteration to the team.
Meanwhile, the manner of Wycombe’s defeat to Charlton will almost certainly result in Dodds tinkering with his starting lineup.
Xavier Simons, Fred Onyedinma and Daniel Udoh are all in contention for recalls, Cameron Humphreys and Garath McCleary both at risk of dropping out of the final third.
Beryly Lubala, Kieran Sadlier, Daniel Harvie and Shamal George will all miss out through injury.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Galbraith, Beckles, Edmonds-Green, Currie; Clare, Brown; Markanday, Donley, Williams; Kelman
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:Norris; Low, Bradley, Taylor; Grimmer, Scowen, Bakinson, Leahy; Udoh, Onyedinma; Kone
We say: Leyton Orient 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers
Having been thrashed by Charlton last time out, this is not the kind of fixture that Wycombe will be relishing. Nevertheless, aware that they must regain their previous high standards, we are backing the Chairboys to earn a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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