- Leyton Orient are winless in their last two matches at home to Burton Albion.
- Leyton Orient are on a two-match losing streak.
- Burton Albion are unbeaten in five League One games (W1, D4).
Wellens will be wary of Brewers’ back-to-basics approach
Leyton Orient are 20th in League One after taking 51 points from 45 fixtures so far this season, struggling to pull away from the relegation zone. Richie Wellens’ side are going nowhere fast and need a win to avoid slipping further down the table. Their last five League One fixtures have seen them pick up one draw and four defeats, indicating that the O’s are in poor form.
Burton Albion have a marginally better position in 17th place with 53 points from 45 games, for a slightly safer standing. Gary Bowyer’s side are unbeaten in their last five in the league (W1, D4), although not in spectacular style. Burton are a team to be respected because of their ability to grind out results and it could be a tough afternoon for the O’s on Saturday.
Bowyer’s Brewers are a tactical masterclass in solidity
Richie Wellens sets his team up to be positive in a 3-4-1-2 system with wing-backs and his side will look to dominate possession through the half-spaces. However, Burton Albion’s selective pressing and solidity from set-piece situations could frustrate the home side on Saturday.
Bowyer sets his side up to be solid and shape-shifting, adapting to the compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1, depending on the game-state and his personnel. The Brewers have won one and drawn four of their last five league games, starting with a 1-0 home victory over AFC Wimbledon before 1-1 draws away to Peterborough United and at home to Exeter City.
Bowyer’s men will be difficult to break down and should cause problems for the hosts on the counter. Burton Albion have drawn their last two league games (1-1 with Peterborough United and 1-1 at home to Exeter City) and have a similar record on their travels in League One all season (W4, D9, L9 from 22). Their away record should allow them to edge this one.
Burton can nick it in a tight clash
Leyton Orient are on a run of two consecutive defeats and will need to improve on some poor recent results to get the three points here. Their 0-0 home draw with Mansfield Town was followed by a 0-2 defeat to Rotherham United and then a 1-0 loss at Blackpool in their most recent three outings. They have won eight, drawn six and lost eight of their 22 home games in League One this season, a record that leaves much to be desired.
The Brewers will be licking their wounds after a 4-0 thrashing away at the hands of the O’s in League One five months ago, but Burton have a psychological advantage in this fixture with two wins to Orient’s one in their last five (D2). Burton are the team that keep on keeping on and look a good wager to take the points on the road here.
Leyton Orient have conceded 28 goals in 22 home league games this term while Burton have shipped 30 in 22 away games so both sides can be breached here. But with the odds-on price for both teams to score sitting at 39/50 and Total Score Under 2.5 coming in at 87/100, both look a bit short. Burton Albion to Win at 57/20 will be the main selection for this tight-looking encounter at Brisbane Road, with both teams to score as the main fancy.
