Oldham Athletic manager Dino Maamria highlighted the importance of three points against Leyton Orient on Saturday. The Lactics sit just behind the O’s heading into the clash and the former Stevenage man is keen for his side to bounce back after last weekend’s defeat. Speaking to oldhamathletic.co.uk “ the Orient game is a huge game for us. A big game at home, I know they’ve got their problems and we’re coming through the other side of ours. My focus has been to make sure we’re ready to get three points on Saturday”.

• Sit 20th on 19 points – five off relegation zone
• Two defeats in last seven – W3  D2  L2 
• Last league defeat – 19/10/19 – 0-1 vs Macclesfield
• League Record – P18  W4  D7  L7  F19  A26

The Lactics bowed out of the FA Cup last week in a 1-0 home defeat to Burton Albion thanks to a Liam Boyce first half strike. Maamria was left disappointed with his sides lackluster first half performance, stating to Oldhamathletic.co.uk “I’m devastated that we’ve lost the tie and I’m bitterly disappointed with the first half performance. We were very flat and gave the opposition a bit of momentum and we were fortunate just to concede one”.

Oldham’s Last Six Results

Maamria was appointed back in September following his departure from Stevenage earlier in the season. The Lactics have started to find a bit of form recently, heading into the Orient game, four unbeaten in the league. The 48 year old highlighted the need for a good start and being clinical in front of goal. Speaking to Oldhamathletic.co.uk“ in the second half we were very good but we didn’t score that goal we needed. And that’s the learning bit on how important it is to score first and we’ve seen throughout the season that when we’ve scored firs we’ve always got a better chance of getting something from the game”.

Taken just one point when conceded first goal – D1  L6

• Kept four league clean sheets
• Kept three in last four league games
• One clean sheet in last five games (all comps) – conceded nine goals
• One clean sheet in last seven home league games
• Conceded 15/26 league goals at the end of each half

Following their exit from the FA Cup last week, the Latics only remaining aim is the league and Maamria is keen for his side to keep improving ahead of a hectic fixture schedule. Speaking to Oldhamathletic.co.uk “ we’ve got one competition to focus on and let’s make sure that we keep improving every week and climb that table” He added “there is no question we have been improving. It’s obvious we’re in a much better position than we were a few weeks ago. The team are picking up a lot more points and we look a lot more organised and solid”.

Oldham’s Next Six Games

Despite Orient being winless since mid October, a run of eight games, Maamria is still wary of the threat the East Londoners pose. Speaking ahead of the clash to Oldhamathletic.co.uk ” to be fair their results do not reflect their performances because I’ve been watching their previous games. They’ve got their threats there’s no doubt about that. They’ve got some good experienced players at this level and it’s going to be a difficult game for us” . He added “ I’ve just told the players we can’t afford to be less than 90% of our own performance level to get the points in this league”.

• Home League Record – P9  W2  D4  L3  F11  A10
• No win in last two
• One win in last six home games (all competitions) – W1  D1  L4
• Only lost one of their last six home league games – W2   D3  L1
• Nine of the their 10 home points have come in last 6 home league games

The 48 year old can use some previous knowledge and experience on the O’s after facing them back in August as Stevenage boss. Maamria doesn’t feel Orient will spring a surprise on him and insists it is about what his Oldham side do. Speaking to Oldhamathletic.co.uk “they’ve got the same players and they change shape now and then. The personnel we know them pretty well, we know what kind of threat they give the opposition. It’s going to be a tough game no question about it but it’s about us and what we’re going to do on the day”

• Failed to score in seven league games
• Scored in four of their last five games
• No failed to score in back to back games since August
• Scored in two of last three home games

Team News

New signings David Jones and Jean Louis Akpa Akpro could start after signing on a short term deal last week. Christopher Missilou is out after being forced off against Burton last Saturday.

Maamria on his squad to Oldhamathletic.co.uk “as we’ve seen the squad has been stretched of late and we’ve had to add last week to make sure we are ready for the very busy December Christmas period”.

Head to Head – Oldham Athletic 26, Draw 18, Leyton Orient 19

• Last meeting – 21/02/2015 – Leyton Orient 3-0 Oldham Athletic

The Last Seven Meetings Between Sides

• Oldham have only won one of the last six meetings – W1  D3  L2
• Oldham’s last two wins against Orient have come at home
• No team has won consecutive games since 2010
• Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings

Last Time Out – Burton Albion, 30/11/2019

Starting 11 vs Burton Albion

Prediction – Oldham Athletic 1-1 Leyton Orient