Two teams at opposing ends of the League One table will come together on Tuesday night as relegation-battling Burton Albion host playoff-hopefuls Leyton Orient.
The hosts are 21st in the league table and trail safety by six points, while the visitors are ninth in the standings and just three points behind the playoff places.
Match preview
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Since their relegation from the Championship in the 2017-18 season, Burton Albion have gradually and fairly consistently fallen down the League One standings over the subsequent six full seasons.
The Brewers placed ninth in their first campaign back in League One, followed by placing 12th in 2019-20, 16th in 2020-21 and 2021-22, a slight climb to 15th in 2022-23 before falling to 20th in 2023-24.
Burton narrowly secured their survival in League One last term, placing only two points above 21st-placed Cheltenham Town, and the Brewers are fighting for their safety once again this campaign.
Gary Bowyer took charge of the club in December 2024, with the Brewers 23rd in the table and nine points from safety, and while the manager has won six, drawn six and lost seven of his 19 games, Burton still sit in the drop zone as the end of the season nears.
The hosts are 21st in the league standings with 36 points - from eight wins, 12 draws and 18 losses - leaving them six points behind safety, though the Brewers do have a game in hand on several of the teams around them.
A victory on Tuesday could prove crucial in their fight for survival this season, but the hosts will certainly be the underdogs heading into the clash, as the visitors are embroiled in the battle for a playoff place.
Leyton Orient are ninth in the League One table with 59 points from 38 matches - after 18 wins, five draws and 15 losses - meaning they trail sixth-placed Reading by just three points.
The O's had briefly found themselves inside the top six following a victory against Wrexham, but a disappointing run of five successive losses saw them fall out of the playoff spots.
Richie Wellens, in charge since March 2022, will be pleased that his side have rebounded with back-to-back victories in their latest outings, and the manager will be hoping that streak continues on Tuesday.
Leyton Orient do, however, have a poor record when facing Burton Albion, as the O's have failed to win any of their last three meetings - with two goalless draws and a 2-1 defeat.
Team News
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Despite falling to a 2-1 defeat to Stockport County last time out, Bowyer's side produced an encouraging performance that could result in the manager naming a similar side here.
Goals have been hard to come by for Burton this term, with only 39 goals in 38 league games, but top scorer Rumarn Burrell - with seven in 23 league matches - is expected to lead the line.
As for the visitors, following back-to-back victories over Blackpool and Stevenage, Wellens is expected to name a largely unchanged starting team on Tuesday night.
Charlie Kelman has been Leyton Orient's star player this term, with 15 league goals in 38 appearances, including three in his last two matches, and the striker should start here.
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Godwin-Malife, Sweeney, Armer; Lofthouse, Forde, Chauke, Dodgson; Webster, McKiernan; Burrell
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Clare, Cooper, Edmonds-Green, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Agyei, Markanday, Jaiyesimi; Kelman
We say: Burton Albion 0-2 Leyton Orient
Burton are the worst team in the league when playing at home - with just 14 points from 18 home fixtures - while Leyton Orient have taken 26 points from 18 away games, leading us to expect a victory for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
