Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Leyton Orientvs.Crawley

sportsmole.co.uk, 24 December 2024, 10:45
Leyton Orient square off against Crawley Town on Boxing Day looking for the win that could take the club into the top half of the League One table.

However, the visitors make their way to Brisbane Road sitting just six points adrift of their hosts, despite being in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Having spent much of the season down in the lower echelons of League One, it has been easy to overlook Leyton Orient's recent outstanding form.

Just one defeat has been posted in their last 11 matches in all competitions, an improved run in the league coming at the same time as reaching the FA Cup third round.

Richie Wellens has been largely focused on moving Orient away from the relegation zone, a run of 10 points being accumulated from four games establishing a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom four.

Most impressively, however, Orient have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven league fixtures, the only goals being conceded coming in a 2-0 reverse at home to fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.

Last time out, Wellens witnessed his side storm to a 4-0 triumph away at Barnsley, and they will now hope to improve on a home record that has seen them post just 12 points from 10 encounters.

As for Crawley, Rob Elliot has started to make a lasting impact at the newly-promoted side after his switch from National League club Gateshead.

A recent run of 12 points came from seven matches, victories over the likes of Lincoln City and Charlton Athletic moving the club back into contention to get out of the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, defeats to Peterborough United and Birmingham City - by 4-3 and 1-0 scorelines respectively - have ensured that the Red Devils remain two points adrift of safety.

Despite their recent improvements on their travels, this is a team that have lost six of their 10 away league games with just eight goals to their name, three of which came in the loss at Peterborough.

Leyton Orient League One form:

D

L

W

W

D

W

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

W

Crawley Town League One form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Crawley Town form (all competitions):

D

W

L

W

L

L

Team News

Barring any unforeseen fitness issues, there is no reason for Wellens to tinker with an Orient side that won 4-0 last time out.

Although Sonny Perkins scored his second league goal of the season as a substitute, the forward is unlikely to be rewarded with a starting role.

Having started the Birmingham game as a replacement due to illness, Ronan Darcy is expected to be drafted back into the Crawley XI for this contest.

Darcy could act as a straight replacement - in one of several positions depending on the formation - for Ade Adeyemo, who is ruled out of this fixture due to concussion.

Bradley Ibrahim and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy are options in midfield and out wide if Elliot wishes to introduce fresh legs.

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Keely; Galbraith, Beckles, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Agyei, Donley, O'Neill; Kelman

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Mullarkey, Conroy, Barker; Forster, Camara, Kelly, Anderson, Darcy; Swan; Showunmi

We say: Leyton Orient 2-1 Crawley Town

With both teams having been in relatively good form of late, this should prove to be a competitive encounter. However, with an unbeaten run and longer recovery period in their favour, we have to back Orient to come through this game, potentially during the closing stages.

Written by

Darren Plant

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly decided whether to pursue a summer deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. 14 May 2025 talksport.com The father of Netherlands and PSV Eindhoven winger Noa Lang has spoken out after a video of him being punched during a youth team match went viral. 14 May 2025 talksport.com The Europa League final is next week and Manchester United and Tottenham will fight for glory in an all-English showpiece. 14 May 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid are seriously considering triggering the £50m release clause of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, talkSPORT understands. 14 May 2025 talksport.com Liam Delap may be one of the highest scoring Englishmen in the Premier League - but it's too soon for him to be leading Manchester United's line. 14 May 2025 talksport.com Everton fans will be allowed to break a strict rule as they bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park this weekend. 14 May 2025 talksport.com David Moyes thinks Everton are in for a busy summer as the club looks to strengthen the squad before moving to their new stadium. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are back in action on Saturday when they square off against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly hold an interest in a player who is due to join Hull City on a permanent basis. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be without the services of defender Leny Yoro for the trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Friday night. 14 May 2025 talksport.com Barcelona can win the LaLiga title on Thursday night, and fans will be able to watch them try to get the job done for FREE. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are prepared to start Pedro Neto at the top of their forward line for the visit of Manchester United in the Premier League on Friday night. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Watford have announced that they have appointed Paulo Pezzolano as their new head coach. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to secure an all-important Champions League spot, Chelsea welcome domestic strugglers Manchester United to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Friday night. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly held talks with Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo and his representatives over a potential move to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window. 14 May 2025 talksport.com The Championship Play-Off Final is one of the biggest games in English football, and Sheffield United will battle Sunderland in it. 14 May 2025 talksport.com From battling relegation last season to challenging for Europe - Mallorca are enjoying a fairy tale campaign. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that he is unhappy with Brazil for announcing his appointment as their new head coach before the end of the 2024-25 campaign. 14 May 2025 talksport.com Manchester City are pushing to beat Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz after face-to-face talks with his parents, talkSPORT understands. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola reportedly 'dreams' of bringing Barcelona's Dani OImo to the Etihad Stadium. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers vs. Dundee Utd (Wednesday, 7.45pm) Rangers, assured of a second-placed finish in the Scottish Premiership, welcome European hopefuls Dundee United to Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday evening. 14 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Alaves vs. Valencia (Wednesday, 6.00pm) Valencia will continue their quest for European qualification when they travel to Mendizorroza for Wednesday's La Liga fixture against Alaves. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has reportedly been placed in an induced coma after he underwent urgent abdominal surgery. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are not necessarily as keen on signing Jeremie Frimpong as recent reports have suggested, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly placed Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen, Arsenal's William Saliba and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate on their transfer shortlist. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona boss Hansi Flick will have to decide whether to replace Inigo Martinez with Ronald Araujo or Andreas Christensen for Thursday's derby clash with Espanyol. 13 May 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious cup competition in English football, steeped in history and tradition, and is watched by millions across the globe. 13 May 2025 talksport.com Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing abdominal surgery, talkSPORT understands.
Sat 17 May, 19:00
L1
Lens Lens
-
sch
Monaco Monaco