- Matchup: The matchup of Walsall FC (underdog) vs Leyton Orient (favourites) looks like it could be a cagey, tense affair with both teams looking to secure a shock win.
- Form: Walsall FC have failed to win any of their last 4 home games in all current competitions (D1, L3) and have conceded 13 goals during that run.
O's to overcome the Saddlers
Leyton Orient should come through what looks like a tough and tense early round EFL Cup clash against Walsall FC at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday.
Richie Wellens has been at the helm at Leyton Orient since 9 March 2022 and they continue to play patient, build-up soccer, use the width of the pitch and press with intensity. Orient's last two results include a 2-0 home win over Oxford United in the EFL Cup, which was backed up by a 1-2 home defeat to fellow third tier side Sheffield Wednesday.
Lee Grant has been in charge of the Saddlers since 14 May 2026 and his players have already produced one EFL Cup upset at Bristol City in a game where they sat deep, stayed compact and then used the ball well on the break when it came their way.
Saddlers should be savvy enough to make it close
Away form
However, the O's have averaged just 0.33 goals scored per game on the road and 1.00 goals conceded per game in all of their games in all of their current competitions, which is a concern.
Head-to-head and betting
The head-to-head between these two teams was 1-1 when they met at the Poundland Bescot Stadium in 2022/23 and this one could go the same way.
However, the odds are in the O's favour, and Walsall have conceded 13 goals in their last 4 at home. We're siding with the visitors here to eek out a win by the narrowest of margins.
- The O's are the favourites here at 2.16, a shade ahead of Walsall at 3.1 and the draw at 3.5.
- A return of 0-1-2 in the last 3 away games in all competitions may be a bit misleading for Leyton Orient as they haven't played away since the end of August.
- Both teams to score is coming in at a tempting 1.65 and Under 2.5 goals at 2.0 also fits this game well for a nervous cup battle that could go either way.
Momentum is building at Bescot
All current competitions, Walsall are 3-2-5 across their last 10 games and Leyton Orient are 2-3-5, so neither side is consistent enough to suggest they'll blow the other away.
However, Walsall have won their last two, away at Bristol City in the EFL Cup and away at Gillingham in League Two, so there's some momentum building for the hosts.
Walsall have scored five goals in their last five matches and Aaron Pressley has scored two of the five Saddlers' goals. The hosts may have the slight edge in the air in a low-scoring game that they will almost certainly have to win on the counterattack.
