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Preview: Bradford City vs. Leyton Orient - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 May 2023, 19:24
Bradford City will look to secure their place in the League Two playoffs when they face Leyton Orient on Monday.

The O's have already been crowned champions, and they will be hoping to end a memorable campaign with a positive result.

Match preview

Bradford still had hopes of securing automatic promotion ahead of their away meeting with Crewe Alexandra, but those dreams were subsequently quashed by a dramatic 3-2 defeat.

The Bantams, who needed a win to remain in the automatic promotion battle, clawed their way back from two goals down thanks to efforts from Andy Cook and Jamie Walker.

However, there was to be late drama as Chris Long dispatched his spot kick in the 11th minute of stoppage time to condemn Bradford to a 3-2 defeat, leaving them in seventh position.

Mark Hughes's side will now turn their focus to securing a playoff place, with Mansfield Town three lurking points behind.

There are a number of permutations that could come into play, including goal difference, but the Bantams know that a point would guarantee them a top-seven finish.

Leyton Orient are already looking forward to a League One campaign after being crowned champions of the fourth tier.

Despite enjoying a successful season, Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens would have been disappointed with his side's performance in their 3-0 home defeat to Stockport County last weekend.

Wellens will be challenging his team to round off the season with a positive result, and they will be confident of picking up at least a point, having lost just one of their last eight away games.

After easing to a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture, Leyton Orient have the chance to complete a league double over Bradford.

That may be easier said than done though, as the O's have failed to win their last four competitive away games against Bradford since claiming a 2-1 FA Cup victory in November 2008.

Bradford City League Two form:

W

W

L

D

W

L

Leyton Orient League Two form:

D

W

L

W

W

L

Team News

Bradford are unable to call upon Harry Chapman and Luke Hendrie due to hamstring and calf injuries respectively, while Vadaine Oliver is also sidelined for the final game of the season.

Abobaker Eisa returned from an injury layoff to play nearly 70 minutes in Bradford's 3-2 defeat to Crewe.

The 27-year-old is set to retain his place in the lineup, with Hughes expected to name an unchanged starting XI despite finishing on the losing side last time out.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Shadrach Ogie, who is ruled out of Monday's encounter through suspension.

Theodore Archibald and Daniel Happe returned from injury to feature as substitutes against Stockport, and they are likely to be utilised off the bench once again.

After featuring as substitutes last weekend, Charlie Kelman and Jacob Brown are in contention to start the final game of the season.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Stubbs, Crichlow-Noble, Ridehalgh; Gilliead, Smallwood; Banks, Walker, Eisa; Cook

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Vigouroux; James, Beckles, McCart, Hunt; Brown, El Mizouni; Smith, Sotiriou, Sadlier; Kelman

We say: Bradford City 1-0 Leyton Orient

Having already secured the League Two title, Leyton Orient have little to play for in the final game of the season, and we think that they will be edged out by a Bradford side who want to make sure of their place in the playoffs.

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