Leyton Orient will look to improve their inconsistent home form when they host Blackpool in League One this week. The O's have lost three of their last four matches at Brisbane Road, a record they will be desperate to correct against a side struggling on the road.
Richie Wellens's team sit 12th in the standings with 11 points from nine games. Their recent form shows one win, one draw, and three losses from their last five outings. The most recent was a goalless draw away to Bradford City last Saturday. That point followed a 2-0 home defeat to league leaders Plymouth Argyle.
Recent form
Orient's home struggles are evident in their recent results. They lost 3-2 to Wycombe Wanderers and 2-1 to Arsenal's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy before the Plymouth defeat. Their sole home victory in this sequence was a 1-0 win over Stevenage last month. Blackpool, who are 18th, have their own problems, having lost their last two away league games. They were beaten 1-0 at Cambridge United last time out. The visitors have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches across all competitions, a vulnerability Orient will hope to exploit.
Team selection
Wellens is expected to stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation used against Bradford. That lineup featured Nathan Baxter in goal behind a back three of Joseph Olowu, William Forrester and Alfie Gilchrist. Fin Stevens and James Morris operated as wing-backs, with Alexander Gilbert and Isaac Hayden in central midfield. Yusuf Akhamrich and Jaze Kabia supported striker Dane Scarlett. Kabia, who leads the club's stats with four goals, is a key attacking threat.
With both teams seeking a positive result, the match could hinge on which side can overcome their recent weaknesses. The last meeting between these sides at Brisbane Road ended in a 1-1 draw in November last year. A win for Orient could see them climb into the top half of the table, depending on other fixtures this weekend.
