Leyton Orient's EFL Trophy hopes rest on Barnet clash

Leyton Orient must overcome a defensively solid Barnet side at The Hive on Tuesday to progress from their EFL Trophy group, sitting three points behind their hosts.

Leyton Orient's push for EFL Trophy progression hinges on a key Group South clash against Barnet at The Hive Stadium on Tuesday night. The O's, buoyed by a 5-1 FA Cup win over Harborough Town, need a result to overturn a three-point deficit to their hosts in the group standings. That emphatic victory on Saturday 7 November, which saw goals from Armando Dobra, Aaron Connolly, Idris El Mizouni and Tony Springett, extended their current winning run to two games.

Richie Wellens's side have found form with back-to-back victories, including a 3-0 league win over Cambridge United on Saturday 31 October. They currently sit 14th in League One with 17 points from 13 games, having recorded five wins, two draws and six losses. Their recent form of three wins and two losses from their last five shows a team building momentum, though they remain 12 points adrift of the league leaders. The team has scored 19 goals and conceded 14 in the league this season. Jaze Kabia, the club's top scorer with four goals this season, is expected to lead the line again, supported by Aaron Connolly and Armando Dobra, who both scored in the weekend's cup rout.

Barnet's defensive resilience

Barnet present a significant obstacle, having gone four matches unbeaten across all competitions. Their run includes a 3-0 FA Cup win over Tranmere Rovers and a 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon. Dean Brennan's team, who are second in League Two, are known for a high-scoring style, with both teams scoring in every one of their matches this season.

The group stakes

With two group games played, the table is tight. Barnet sit second with five points, while Leyton Orient are third with two points, having won a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw with Wimbledon before losing 2-1 to Arsenal Under-21s. A win for Orient would dramatically alter the qualification picture ahead of the final group fixtures.

The match kicks off at 19:00 on November 10, with Orient's next League One assignment a trip to face Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 14 November. Doncaster currently sit 20th in the table.