Leyton Orient vs Reading: Match Preview

01/24/2025 06:35 PM

Can the Royals get back to winning ways in the capital?

Before playing Reading in the reverse fixture, Leyton Orient had lost their first four games of the season and it wasn't a good time at the club. But now they sit eighth in the league and were most recently knocked out of the Vertu Trophy with a 1-0 loss to Stevenage. Before that game, they hadn't lost in nine games, getting seven wins and two draws.

Reading are coming off the back of a disappointing loss to Stockport County where the Royals were tactically outplayed, allowing ex-Royal Oliver Norwood to run the show. But hopefully players coming back from injury can help the Royals regain some form.

In this preview I will talk about players who have played for both, what it will take from the Royals to break down the high-flying Os and my predictions for the weekend.

What? League One matchday 26

Season? 2024/25

Who? Leyton Orient

Where? Brisbane Road

When? Saturday January 25

Time? 15:00

Opposition manager? Richie Wellens

Players who have played for both

Let's start with the two who still play for us now.

David Button has become a decent back-up 'keeper for the Royals, being deployed when needed and has done well in the cups. He has played 45 matches for the club and has a save percentage of 65.1%. He also has one assist for the Royals.

Button signed for the Os in 2011 and played one match for the club, with a save percentage of 75%.

Jayden Wareham is another one who has been deployed off the bench many times but is slowly making his way into the starting lineup. He has played 35 times for the Royals, scoring three goals.

He played five games for Leyton Orient in 2022, managing neither a goal nor an assist.

Jobi McAnuff in my head is a Reading legend. Hailed the best captain ever by another ex-Royal Michael Morrison, McAnuff went on to make 189 appearances, scoring 14 goals and getting 36 assists.

From Reading he signed for the Os, playing for six years and racking up 174 games for the club, managing 20 goals and 16 assists.

Jake Taylor came through the Royals' youth academy and ended with 34 appearances for the Royals, scoring three and getting two assists.

On loan from Reading, he appeared three times for Orient, but was unable to get a goal contribution.

Simon Church played 104 games for Reading. In this time he managed 22 goals and two assists.

While with the Royals he spent time on loan at Leyton Orient where he made 13 appearances and scored four goals for the club.

How the Royals could defeat the Os

In the match against Stockport, the Royals were dominated due to Lewis Wing being man-marked the entire game. I hadn't noticed before then how much the ball goes through him, and we just weren't able to get a hold of it for long. It is likely, due to the outcome of that tactic, that Leyton Orient try the same thing.

However, I think there is a player coming back in that could help here: they love being on the ball, receiving long passes and running at defenders.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan could be the key. Leyton Orient do like to have possession when playing at home; in fact they averaged 59.75% possession in their last four home matches.

If Tyler Bindon or Harlee Dean are able to have some time on the ball then they are both capable of setting up an attack through Ehibhatiomhan - rather than Wing having to do it. This means they will close down the flanks more often and leave space in the midfield for Charlie Savage and Harvey Knibbs to get a shot off or play a ball through to Sam Smith.

I think if we are able to score a goal in the game it will be from outside the box. We have quite a few players capable of doing this but I think it will be Savage who gets that goal.

My lineup

In most of that last part I have stated most of my lineup. But let's do it the proper way.

In goal will be Mr Reliable Joel Pereira. I think this one could go one of two ways for him: the most boring game he has played or he gets man of the match.

In defence we are still missing a few players due to injury but Andy Yiadom is getting closer and closer to returning to the pitch. But for now I think it will be Kelvin Abrefa, Dean, Bindon and Andre Garcia.

The midfield I have said already: Wing, Savage and Knibbs. I expect Savage and Knibbs to have a few chances at goal.

The attack is a difficult one. With so many players all coming back at the same time it is difficult to pick who starts, but I think it will be Chem Campbell, Sam Smith and Ehibhatiomhan.

Score prediction: 1-0 Royals!

Good luck to the sold-out away end travelling to London and make sure you support the lads!

Come on you Royals!