Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh is raring to go in the Championship race. The O’s sit two points above Salford ahead of the final four games of the season. Orient travel to Sutton United tomorrow, the first side to beat them this season and Edinburgh highlights what will be needed. Speaking to leytonorient.com “there’s no easy games, they got a good result at the weekend, we know what it will require to go and get a result. It’s what we will be trying to do”.

• Sit 1st on 81 points – two point lead over cushion
• One win in last four games – W1  D2  L1
• One defeat in last 12 games all competitions – W9  D2  L1
• League Record – P42  W23  D12  L7  F69  A34

The O’s regained top spot on Tuesday night with a come from behind victory against Eastleigh. Paul McCallum twice put the Spitfires ahead with Josh Koroma briefly levelling for Orient. However second half strikes from Macauley Bonne and James Brophy moved them back top. Edinburgh stated to leytonorient.com “again, thoroughly deserved, thought barring the two disappointing goals, I thought we were excellent. It was a good three points and we go back top”.

Orient’s Last Six Results

Midfielder James Brophy grabbed the decisive winner and highlighted the character the side showed. After earning a point with a stoppage time equaliser on Saturday, two goals in four points ensured Orient left with the point. Speaking to leytonorient.com “we had to dig deep again tonight. Falling behind, two goals that were avoidable again. But I felt we done enough to come back and win the game”.

• Failed to score in nine league games (four away)
• Scored in last three games – netting six goals
• Scored in 11 of their last 12 games
• Scored in seven of their last eight away games
• Scored 40/69 league goals in second half (three of their last five)

A worry for Justin Edinburgh and his side is their defence instability in recent games, having to come from behind to earn the points. The O’s have now conceded two goals in each of their last three games and the 49 year old is keen to keep the door shut from now on. Speaking to leytonorient.com “the clean sheets had been coming frequently and regularly but over the last three to four games, they have lost knowledge of how to defend our own box. I guess that comes with the magnitude of games and what it means. But we need to get back to basics on that front”.

• Kept 17 league clean sheets – (six away)
• No clean sheet in last three
• Two clean sheets in last six games
• One clean sheet in last nine away games in all competitions
• Best Defensive Record in Division – conceded just 34 goals

After eight wins from nine, Orient’s win on Tuesday was their first in four matches but Edinburgh was certain his side would bounce back after a recent dip in results. Speaking to leytonorient.com “I said in my notes, I back these players. I had no doubts when they are called upon, they delivered”. Edinburgh also praised the influence of Brophy and Josh Koroma, “they were a real menace again, continuing from Saturday. Josh is getting back to where he was before is injury and Brophy is up there too”.

• Away League Record – P21  W10  D7  L4  F32  A19
• Only Solihull (38) have taken more points away than Orient
• Winless in last two – D1  L1
• Only lost one of their last eight in all competitions – W5  D2  L1

With one of the tightest promotion battles in recent history, the O’s victory gives them a two point cushion after playing their final game in hand. Heading into the final fortnight of the season, Brophy highlighted the importance of his side returning to the top of the table. Speaking to leytonorient.com “this was our last game in hand, we wanted to stay in control of our own destiny which is what we have done. Four Games to go”.

Tight at the Top

It looks set to be a fight between three for top spot as just three points separates Orient, Salford and Solihull Moors. All will be keeping an eye on their rivals to see whether they can take advantage but Edinburgh continued his stance of his side. Speaking to East London Advertiser “we can’t affect that and they can’t affect it. There are four games where we can affect the result. What I’ll always say to the players in these next four games, it’s about controlling the performances and that’s all we can do”.

Remaining Fixtures for Top Three

Team News

Alex Lawless will be assessed after being substituted in their win on Tuesday night. Sam Ling is set to continue at right wing back while Jamie Turley and Jobi McAnuff could return to the side after injury.

Edinburgh to East London Advertiser “if we go into it like we expect, we should then hopefully have a fully fit squad to pick from”.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 1, Draw 0, Sutton United 2

The Previous Three Meetings Between Sides

• Sutton were the first side to beat Orient this season back in September

Last Time Out – 09/04/2019 – Leyton Orient 3-2 Eastleigh

Starting 11 vs Eastleigh

Prediction – Sutton United 1-2 Leyton Orient