Blackpool
- Blackpool have been in much better form recently, winning four of their last five and all of their last three at home, including a dominant 3-1 victory over Peterborough United.
- Ian Evatt’s switch to a three-at-the-back system and high pressing approach has clearly worked for The Tangerines, who have looked significantly more dangerous since October 2025 when he arrived.
- Blackpool now play a 3-5-2 with adventurous wing-backs, which should stretch the Leyton Orient back four on Saturday, but they’re still vulnerable to the counterattack at times.
- Ashley Fletcher has been excellent for Blackpool this season, scoring 15 goals in 41 League One appearances and providing a reliable target man up front.
Leyton Orient
- Richie Wellens has done a solid job since taking over at Leyton Orient and his 4-2-3-1 system has seen The O’s look organised and confident when they’ve had the ball.
- However, Orient have been disappointing in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last two away from home and drawing two of their last five overall.
- They’ve also lost three times in this run, including their 0-2 home defeat to Rotherham.
- Dominic Ballard is Orient’s biggest threat, having scored 22 goals in 38 League One games this campaign, and his prowess is one of the main reasons that the visitors can hold their own in this clash.
Head-to-Head
Blackpool have failed to beat Leyton Orient in their last five meetings, losing three of them.
Key Players
- Ashley Fletcher
- Ashley Fletcher has been excellent for Blackpool this season, scoring 15 goals in 41 League One appearances and providing a reliable target man up front.
- Dominic Ballard
- Dominic Ballard is Orient’s biggest threat, having scored 22 goals in 38 League One games this campaign, and his prowess is one of the main reasons that the visitors can hold their own in this clash.
Betting Insights
- Both sides need the win, which should make for a fast-paced and exciting fixture.
- Orient have won six and lost 13 of their 22 away league games in 2025/2026, averaging 1.82 goals conceded per game on their travels.
- Blackpool have won 11 of their 22 home league matches, scoring an average of 1.55 goals per game at Bloomfield Road.
- The Tangerines are priced at 2.6 to win this game, with 2.03 for over 2.5 goals and 1.73 for both teams to score also tempting.
Prediction
With Blackpool in their best form of the season and Orient struggling, we’re expecting the hosts to edge this encounter.
