Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Leyton Orient and Wrexham, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Wrexham will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they travel to Brisbane Road for Saturday’s away meeting with Leyton Orient.
The Red Dragons are sitting top of League One with 16 points, while the hosts are in 16th place after collecting seven points from as many games.
Match preview
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After beginning the campaign with four consecutive defeats, Leyton Orient have managed to spark an upturn in fortunes in the last two weeks.
They recorded back-to-back away wins over Reading and Stockport County, before they played out a 2-2 draw in their recent home meeting with Peterborough United.
The O’s trailed at the break after the Posh netted a couple of goals following Tom James‘s opener, but Charlie Kelman‘s second-half effort proved enough to secure a point for his side.
While they may have collected a useful point against Peterborough, the result extended Leyton Orient’s winless home run to five league matches.
The O’s will be desperate to end their poor home form in their first meeting with Wrexham since March 2019, and they may be able to draw inspiration from the fact they have won each of their previous four head-to-head matches.
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Wrexham are sat level on points with Birmingham City at the top of the standings after kicking off their League One campaign with five wins, one draw and one defeat in seven matches.
In fact, they dropped just two points in their opening five games, before their unbeaten start was brought to an end by a 3-1 away defeat against Birmingham.
However, Phil Parkinson‘s side ultimately produced a positive response to that setback, recording a narrow 2-1 victory over Crawley Town thanks to goals from Elliott Lee and Max Cleworth.
Impressively, the newly-promoted side have won four of their last five league games and are the highest scorers in the division with 14 goals to their name.
They have also made a habit of netting the first goal, having opened the scoring in all six league games where there has been a goal this season.
Wrexham will be targeting another strong start in Saturday’s away fixture as they look to beat Leyton Orient for the first time since April 2003.
Leyton Orient League One form:
Leyton Orient form (all competitions):
Wrexham League One form:
Wrexham form (all competitions):
Team News
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Having seen his side take seven points from their last three matches, Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens could be tempted to select the same lineup for a fourth consecutive league game.
Kelman will continue to lead the line for the hosts, with the striker looking to add to the three league goals he has scored this season.
As for the visitors, defender Luke Bolton will have to be assessed after missing the last two matches due to a foot injury.
Andy Cannon is set to retain his place in the Wrexham midfield after coming into the side to play 79 minutes against Crawley.
Jack Marriott dropped to the bench last weekend, but Wrexham’s top scorer could be recalled to the starting lineup for Saturday’s away trip.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Hemming; James, Beckles, Happe, Currie; Brown, Clare; O’Neill, Galbraith, Agyei; Kelman
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O’Connor, O’Connell, McClean; Cannon, Dobson, Lee; Marriott, Mullin
We say: Leyton Orient 1-3 Wrexham
Leyton Orient may be unbeaten in three league matches, but they have lost two of their three home games in the third tier this season.
With the O’s struggling to produce their best form on home turf, we think Wrexham will take full advantage to claim their sixth league victory of the season.
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