Leyton Orient vs. Gillingham – Orient Searching For Winning Ways After Recent Struggles

Having done enough during the majority of the season, Gillingham have no found themselves relatively safe. With enough bad teams below them, relegation is unlikely and chances of rising up through the table will largely come down to the players’ attitudes and approaches. With both teams lining up in similar formations, Orient’s slightly more defensive tactic of flooding the midfield could well be the reason they have struggled for goals as of late. Coupled with the advantage of playing at home, however, it could well be enough to wrest control of the match from the opponents and remain defensively sound.

Of the current top either, Orient have the worst form. Struggling for a win and struggling for the goals which came so easily earlier in the campaign, they are without a win in five. With a playoff place still tremendously likely, the chance to arrest their form and control could be ideally suited to a match against Gillingham. A good performance will likely mean a clean sheet, with goals stemming from a solid defensive display.

For a team ten places lower, Gillingham’s form is slightly better. They have at least managed to win one of their last five and currently find themselves in fourteenth place. There are, however, five teams between them and the relegation places which most would consider enough to remain safe, especially when other teams are performing far worse than Gillingham have in recent weeks. As is the case with many teams who have little to play for, however, the propensity for the players to apply themselves can very rarely be relied upon.

Injuries

Gillingham will be without Danny Kedwell until the Easter weekend following a knee injury which has been causing him trouble in recent weeks. As well as this, Chris Whelpdale will be unavailable after struggling with an ankle injury.

Orient are likely to enjoy their full selection, though Marvin Bartley has been struggling for full fitness. With the health of the team without too much of an issue, Leyton Orient will be hoping that their players shake off their bad form rather than any particular niggles if they are to get the points they require.

Leyton Orient

P41 W22 D11 L08

LDDLD

Predicted Line-Up: Williams; Pennington, Taylor, Arthurworry Ridehalgh; Koumas, Power, Jennings, Akpa Akpro; Cassidy, Lowe.

Gillingham

P41 W14 D06 L21

DLWLL

Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Nelson; Harriman, Barrett, Inniss, Martin; Hewitt, Gregory; Weston, Linganzi, Dack; McDonald

Prediction: Leyton Orient 0 - 0 Gillingham

Orient will be looking to arrest their recent slip and a solid draw should be enough to change thoughts from automatic promotion to securing a playoff place.