The visitors to the Gaughan Group Stadium – Cheltenham Town (Image: Cheltenham Town)
Leyton Orient will be looking to get their late dart for the Sky Bet League One play-offs back on track with the visit of Cheltenham Town this afternoon.
The O’s have been on a disappointing run of form of late which has seen their slim chances of finishing in the play-offs slowly disappear while Cheltenham are fighting for survival at the bottom of the table and currently sit two points adrift of safety.
An important game at both ends of the table, here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.
RECENT FORM
Leyton Orient
The O’s have only managed to pick up three points on one occasion in their last five outings following a fine run of form which saw them pick up victories over Oxford United and Blackpool. A trip to Wigan Athletic in March resulted in a 1-0 defeat with Jason Kerr netting the only goal of the game as Ethan Galbraith was dismissed in the opening period.
A share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw at home to Port Vale followed before an impressive win at fellow play-off hopefuls Stevenage to end a three-game losing run. Max Saunders’ strike on 16 minutes proved to be the difference as they moved closer to the play-off places.
The start of a disappointing Easter weekend came with a trip to high-flying Lincoln City as it seemed it would be honours even until Jovon Makama’s strike in the closing stages to win in at the death for Michael Skubala’s side. Last time out, Orient fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Peterborough United with the visitors having a two-goal lead by the 26th minute thanks to goals from Hector Kyprianou and Ephron Mason-Clark. Galbraith halved the deficit on 66 minutes but the O’s were unable to snatch a point.
Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham are in an identical run of form having only won once in their last five games. This run began with the visit of Charlton Athletic and ex-Southend United loanee Daniel Kanu put them in command with the opener 19 minutes in before Liam Sercombe equalised with 70 minutes on the clock. Two goals in the 86th and 90th minute by Tyreeq Bakinson and Alfie May ensured the Addicks travelled back to South-East London with three points.
Following a late 2-1 defeat at Oxford, Cheltenham picked up a valuable point against fifth-place Barnsley in a 0-0 draw. They secured a vital win on Good Friday in a relegation six-pointer at Fleetwood Town in a 2-1 win. Sercombe put them ahead on the half-hour mark before Charlie Adam’s side received a lifeline with Ryan Graydon’s strike 12 minutes from time but Aidan Keena won it for the Robins four minutes later.
Cheltenham will be looking to bounce back from Monday’s 2-1 loss to Exeter City where Reece Cole netted a late winner for the Grecians from the spot.
MATCH STATS & HEAD-TO-HEAD
The O’s made the trip to Gloucestershire in December and ran out as 2-1 winners. Despite Ben Goodwin being sent off on 18 minutes, the Robins opened the scoring through Will Goodwin from the spot on 68 minutes before Shaq Forde drew level one minute from time. There was to be late drama at The Completely-Suzuki Stadium as Galbraith netted the winner three minutes into additional time.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
There are several important clashes at both ends of the table this afternoon. Portsmouth could edge closer to the League One title with the visit of Shrewsbury Town, in-form Lincoln will be looking to cement their spot in the play-offs with the visit of Reading and Port Vale could climb out of the relegation zone with a win at Wigan.
Blackpool vs Cambridge United
Bristol Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers
Burton Albion vs Oxford United
Charlton Athletic vs Barnsley
Exeter City vs Stevenage
Northampton Town vs Carlisle United
Portsmouth vs Shrewsbury Town
Reading vs Lincoln City
Wigan Athletic vs Port Vale
