- Blackpool are the form team coming into this game, having won four of their last five and are on a two-game winning streak.
- Leyton Orient’s poor form has seen them fail to win their last two away games.
- Blackpool have failed to beat Leyton Orient in their last five meetings, with Orient winning three of those.
A tale of two contrasting managers
Ian Evatt’s 3-5-2 system with high-pressing wing backs has been a breath of fresh air for Blackpool FC since he took over in October 2025. The Seasiders have looked more dangerous in recent months and have scored more goals, but their high pressing style leaves them open to the counter.
Their home form has been consistently good in League One 2025-2026, winning 11 of 22 home games and averaging 1.55 goals per game scored at Bloomfield Road. However, Ashley Fletcher is their key attacking man, having scored 15 times in 41 appearances in the third tier this campaign, whilst Tom Bloxham has chipped in with two goals in their last five.
Visitors Leyton Orient have struggled on the road in the 2025-2026 campaign, winning just six of their 22 games in League One and losing 13. They’ve conceded an average of 1.82 goals per away game in the league, and will have to find a way to frustrate a young and dangerous Blackpool side on Saturday.
Richie Wellens prefers a possession-based approach, favouring a 4-2-3-1 system which aims to overload the midfield and control the pace of the game. His team have looked well organised but recent results suggest they struggle to break teams down.
Dominic Ballard has been their main danger man in League One 2025-2026, netting 22 times in 38 league appearances for Leyton Orient.
An entertaining affair on the horizon?
Blackpool are currently sitting in 16th in League One having claimed 54 points from 44 games, whereas Leyton Orient are 19th, having picked up 51 points from the same amount of games.
With both teams in desperate need of points, this could be a tense affair. With Blackpool playing a vertical, transition-based game and Orient looking to control the game and possess the ball, there could be a lot of goals if Evatt’s side impose their will.
Blackpool have won their last three home games, including a comfortable 3-1 win over Peterborough United, but have failed to beat Leyton Orient in their last 5 meetings in League One.
The last meeting between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient, and with Orient looking for the win on Saturday, we could be in for a cracker.
8/5 for a Blackpool win looks a bit of a gift for the bettor considering Blackpool are the in-form side and are playing at home, whilst odds of 103/100 for over 2.5 goals and 73/100 for both teams to score also look too good to be true. We’re siding with the hosts to nick this one, and are expecting an open, end-to-end 90 minutes as a result.
