Leyton Orient (home)
- This Thursday game is a six-pointer for both Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon with the three points on offer capable of catapulting either side into the play-off conversation.
- Orient sit 11th in League One with around 28 points from 21 games while Wimbledon are either 12th or 13th, depending on goal difference, with about 27 points.
- The O’s are the slight favorites to win this one at 1.91, but Dons at 4.1 are definitely good odds for the visitors.
- It is probably fair to say that Orient are the more exciting team to watch, although Richie Wellens’ men have scored freely and will have to be better at the back for this game.
- They play a very pro-active 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system, playing with possession, pressing and building up from the back, trying to catch teams off guard and then play vertically to create overloads on the flanks.
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Both clubs have had mixed form of late with Orient winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five.
- But their form book is a little skewed by a 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Salford, a 4-0 win at Burton in the league and a 2-1 comeback victory at Bradford last weekend.
- The hosts have scored with freedom lately, but Wimbledon are a very different proposition to Bradford’s disorganised back four.
AFC Wimbledon (away)
- Wimbledon are a much more structured, disciplined side that won promotion via the playoffs last season and have produced some solid results in this campaign.
- Johnnie Jackson’s blueprint is a 3-5-2 with the team packed in, sitting deep and then looking to unleash their wingbacks and forwards on quick breaks.
- The Dons have kept two consecutive shutouts - back-to-back 0-0 draws - and also lost 1-3 to Northampton Town.
- Wimbledon have failed to score in two of their last five league games.
Head-to-Head
Wimbledon have won three, Orient two and they have drawn once in the six previous matchups.
Key Players
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Leyton Orient
- Dominic Ballard is on red-hot streak for Orient, having scored twice against the Bantams to take him to double figures for the campaign.
- He is backed up by creative midfielders Oliver O’Neill and Idris El Mizouni who have both contributed well to the cause all season with some timely goals and assists.
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AFC Wimbledon
- Danilo Orsi-Dadomo offers Wimbledon a similar focal point in front of goal.
- Aaron Connolly’s experience and creativity in the frontline, where he ranks among Orient’s top assist providers, will be a big threat to Wimbledon.
- Wimbledon’s Myles Hippolyte and Omar Chaaban offer width and creativity while Riley Harbottle and Jake Reeves are defensive-minded players who can control the middle of the park and excel from set pieces.
Betting Insights
With odds of 1.75 , the under 2.5 goals market looks like the best bet in this matchup between two sides struggling to find consistency in this congested mid-table battle.
Prediction
A 1-1 draw is the pick of the exact score markets, but a 1-0 home victory also has merit.
