- Burton form: Burton Albion are unbeaten in five League One fixtures, with one win and four draws.
- Orient form: Leyton Orient are winless in their last five games, with one draw and four defeats.
Bretts a tough team to beat
Form and league position
Burton Albion are a hard team to play against at the moment and may take the points when they travel to Brisbane Road to face struggling Leyton Orient on Saturday. Gary Bowyer’s men are having a solid season in 17th place in League One, having collected 53 points from 45 fixtures so far - two more than the O’s have managed.
The Brewers are unbeaten in their last five, with one win and four draws, and have drawn both of their previous two away games, so it is obvious that they are a stubborn side rather than a spectacular one. They will set up to be compact and can play direct when they get the ball in the box, but are very well organised when out of possession.
Tactical profile
Bowyer’s tactical flexibility to change shape depending on the opponent is also a factor in their ability to be tough to beat. They have conceded 30 goals in 22 away League One games, compared to Orient’s 28 goals conceded in 22 home games, so it seems likely that both defences will be breached at some point in this clash.
O’s are lacking goals at the right time
The O’s have won eight, drawn six and lost eight of their 22 home games in League One this season, but Richie Wellens’ side are in poor form coming into this game after a recent two-match losing streak. Their previous results stand as a 0-0 home draw with Mansfield Town, a 0-2 home defeat to Rotherham United and a 1-0 away loss to Blackpool.
It’s a lack of clinical edge that has held them back this season and they are still in danger of being dragged into the relegation zone in 20th place with only 51 points from 45 games. Wellens plays a structured 3-4-1-2 system with wing-backs that has seen them press high up the pitch and combine in the channels, but recent results suggest they are not turning their possession dominance into enough points. Dominic Ballard is their main man up top with 22 goals in 39 League One appearances this term.
Bretts will nick it
Burton’s Charlie Webster, who has netted two of his team’s last four goals in the past five matches, is a good choice to make a difference if this is a tight game, which we are expecting.
Bowyer’s players are also adept at playing a deep and compact defensive game and direct transitions, which will frustrate Wellens, who likes his team to press and combine in the half-spaces. The 3.85 odds for Burton to win make perfect sense given Orient’s poor form and the visitors’ recent record against them, while 1.87 for the Total Score Under 2.5 line also looks appealing in a game where both teams will score and the goals will be at a premium.
- Jake Beesley, who leads Burton's frontline with 13 in 44, will also be a threat.
- A lack of confidence and recent results that show Orient have failed to win their last three home matches and are winless in their last two against Burton suggest the visitors will come away with at least a draw.
