League One's most in-form team are set to host a 'six-pointer' in the race for promotion when Leyton Orient face Reading at the Gaughan Group Stadium on Saturday.
The O's will be looking to make it 10 league games unbeaten this weekend, while the Royals will be desperate to avoid losing ground on the playoff spots.
Match preview
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Richie Wellens's Leyton Orient last tasted defeat in League One back in November, and their nine-game unbeaten streak since then has put them in contention for the playoffs this season.
Currently eighth in the third tier, the O's are just one place and three points behind Reading, and could end the weekend as high as sixth if they manage to take all three points against the Royals.
Last time out in the league, Saturday's hosts drew 0-0 with Peterborough United, drawing for just the second time over the last nine matches.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Orient's form is the fact that they have kept eight clean sheets during their current unbeaten stretch, and this solidity is reflected in the numbers given that they have the third-best defensive record in the division, having conceded 14 goals fewer than this weekend's visitors.
That being said, Wellens's side were eliminated from the EFL Trophy on Tuesday by league rivals Stevenage, though considering that they have unexpectedly found themselves in the race for promotion, they may benefit from reducing the number of competitions they are fighting for this term.
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Meanwhile, as their off-field ownership drama rages on, Noel Hunt's Reading are no longer in the playoff spots after losing 3-1 to promotion rivals Stockport County in their most recent league game.
This weekend's visitors were also eliminated from the FA Cup by Burnley on January 11, and are now without a win in three games having drawn on the road to Charlton Athletic earlier this month.
It is also notable that the Royals have won just one of their last five away fixtures in the third tier, drawing three and losing the other against Lincoln City just before Christmas.
To make matters worse, Hunt's side lost Saturday's reverse fixture 1-0 in September, and it will take a special performance if they are to overcome a much-improved, in-form version of Leyton Orient in 2025.
However, Reading have earned 41 points from their 25 League One games so far, have a game in hand on both the Hatters and Barnsley, and could jump up to fifth with a win against the O's.
Team News
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Leyton Orient may have to make do without centre-back Jack Simpson after he was withdrawn with an injury late on against Stevenage, so expect Brandon Cooper to start alongside Omar Beckles in front of goalkeeper Josh Keeley.
Elsewhere, Blackburn loanee Dilan Markanday is likely to line up on the right-wing once again, supporting striker Charlie Kelman and left-winger Zech Obiero.
The O's have also signed versatile 22-year-old Azeem Abdulai from Swansea City, though he is unlikely to be involved on Saturday.
As for Reading, right-back Michael Craig and left-back Jeriel Dorsett made a return to the matchday squad against Stockport, and may be in line for a start this weekend after featuring for the Under 21 side against Valencia Mestalla on Tuesday.
Should they make the XI, then expect the duo to flank centre-backs Harlee Dean and Tyler Bindon.
On the other hand, manager Hunt has said that Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was not quite ready to start that youth game, while club captain Andre Yiadom is getting closer to a return after nine months out.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; James, Beckles, Cooper, Currie; Pratley, Galbraith; Markanday, Donley, Obiero; Kelman
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Craig, Dean, Bindon, Dorsett; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Smith, Garcia
We say: Leyton Orient 2-1 Reading
Reading will be desperate to avoid defeat at the very least this weekend and will make the match a close-fought contest.
However, cup game aside, Orient appear to be in unstoppable form at the moment, and may prove too much for the visitors to handle on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
