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

Gillingham lost 2-0 away to Grimsby Town, while Leyton Orient were defeated 3-0 at home by Stevenage.

Match preview

After winning 1-0 in each of their opening four league games of the season, Gillingham have failed to score in their last two matches in League Two, losing to Colchester United and Grimsby in the process.

As such, they have been leapfrogged at the top of the table by Notts County and Milton Keynes Dons, but manager Neil Harris would almost certainly shake someone's hand if offered to finish in third place come the end of the season, as that would mean their primary objective of automatic promotion would be secure.

The Gills fell 2-0 behind inside the opening 27 minutes at Blundell Park on Saturday, with goals from Niall Maher and Gavan Holohan taking the game away from their opponents. Gillingham could only muster six shots and 44% possession of the ball in response, as they fell to a rather limp defeat.

As such, Harris will be expecting a positive reaction in front of their home fans at Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday, as they look to prove that they are already capable of competing with League One sides ahead of aiming to reach that level within the near future.

Leyton Orient know all about that, of course, having won League Two last season to return to England's third tier for the first time in eight years.

They have clearly found the step up in quality tough to deal with, though, with Richie Wellens' side only collecting four points from their opening six matches. While that has proven enough to keep them two points above the relegation zone, Wellens would have been concerned by the nature of his side's loss to Stevenage last time out.

Indeed, considering that they finished above their most recent opponents in League Two last season, home games against fellow promoted sides would almost certainly have a ring circled around them by coaching staff when the fixtures for the season are announced. Yet Stevenage were the more potent outfit despite only having 32% of the ball, with Daniel Sweeney's strike one minute before half-time proving to be a killer blow.

Having finished bottom of their group in this competition last season, The O's may be hoping for a much better effort this time around, although their focus will almost entirely be on securing their survival in League One this season.

Gillingham EFL Trophy form:

Gillingham form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

L

L

Leyton Orient EFL Trophy form:

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

L

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Team News

With his side having a winnable home match against Harrogate Town in League Two on Saturday, Harris may take no chances by making plenty of changes for this match.

The former Millwall boss could pick a similar starting XI to the one which pushed Premier League side Luton Town hard in the EFL Cup last week, meaning Jayden Clarke may retain his place on the left flank after scoring in that 3-2 defeat.

Likewise, Leyton Orient travel to Exeter City in League One on Saturday, so Wellens will almost certainly alter his line-up to a considerable extent.

Former Ipswich Town striker Joe Pigott may receive a chance to lead the visitors' line after coming off the bench at the weekend, with George Moncur likely to start in the engine room.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Morris; Alexander, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Clark; Nadesan, Dieng, McKenzie, Clarke; Bonne

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Howes; Hunt, Happe, Beckles, James; Moncur, Pratley, Sanders; Archibald, Pigott, Graham

We say: Gillingham 0-0 Leyton Orient

Gillingham's matches tend to have very few goals scored in them due to Harris' safety-first approach, while Leyton Orient have failed to score in five of their seven matches so far this season.

As such, this looks like it will almost certainly be an extremely tight affair, with neither set of players likely to be throwing themselves into challenges ahead of important league fixtures at the weekend. We can envisage a goalless draw.

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