Leyton Orient v Harrogate Town: All you need to know about the O's

Dann Johnson has been in fine form in front of goal for Leyton Orient this term. Pictures: Getty Images

Here's everything you need to know about the O's ahead of this weekend's contest.

The opposition

Orient currently sit 14th in the table having won four out of 12 thus far, just one point and two places behind Simon Weaver’s team.

Orient boss Ross Embleton had plenty of positive things to say about Town in the build-up to Saturday's contest.

They were victorious on the opening day of the season, however that 1-0 success at Oldham was their only win in their first six matches. They then went on to win three out of four, but head into their showdown with Town in similarly poor form to that of their visitors, having lost four on the spin in all competitions.

Ross Embleton's side have been fared pretty well in the final third of the pitch so far this season, netting 17 goals. They have however conceded almost as many (15) at the other end.

Like Town, although they have suffered a number of negative results over the last few weeks, most of their defeats have come by the odd goal.

The O's have failed to score only once in 18 competitive matches in 2020/21. Their shots per goal ratio in league fixtures stands at 9.8, significantly better than Harrogate's current total of 13.9 (according to www.whoscored.com).

The O's play their home games at Brisbane Road.

Their pass completion rate thus far is 73.3%, compared to Town's 66.6%, but the Londoners' disciplinary record is much worse. Orient have picked up 26 yellow cards and one red, while the Sulphurites have been shown 15 cautions and suffered one dismissal.

Danny Johnson will be Orient's biggest dangerman having netted eight times already, with Connor Wilkinson not too far behind him on six goals.

Craig Clay has been their most creative force, providing three assists, though he is unlikely to feature this weekend.

Last time out

Warren Burrell in action for Harrogate during the previous meeting between the sides, back in April 2019.

Ross Embleton’s men went down 2-1 at Colchester United last time out, suffering the exact same fate as Harrogate did when they visited the JobServe Community Stadium.

The O's were already 2-0 when Wilkinson bagged an 88th-minute consolation.

Last five

Nov 14 - Colchester United (a) 1-2

Nov 10 - Charlton Athletic (a) 1-3 (EFL Trophy)

Nov 7 - Newport County (h) 1-2 (FA Cup)

Nov 3 - Forest Green (a) 1-2

Oct 31 - Bolton Wanderers (h) 4-0

What they said

Ross Embleton: “We want to go and win the game. I’m envious of Harrogate if I’m brutally honest. They’ve come into League Two with momentum from promotion. We lost that for obvious reasons.”

“I’m expecting them to be very competitive. They must have a great feel. They’re building on success.

"They’ve changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 recently. They’ll be aggressive. They’ll get the ball in the box. We have to stand up and deal with it.”

Team news

Full-back Myles Judd and striker Ruel Sotiriou will miss out through injury and, although he is said to be close to a return, it is expected that Saturday's game will come just too soon for central midfielder Clay.

Previous meeting

The last meeting between the sides came in April, 2019 during Town's debut season in the National League. Orient won the game 2-0 courtesy of strikes from Josh Coulson and Matt Harold as they closed in on promotion back to the EFL.

Bookies' odds

Orient 7/4

Harrogate 7/5

Draw 23/10.

Referee

Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire).