A place in League One's playoff spots will be up for grabs on Saturday when Leyton Orient host in-form Charlton Athletic at the Gaughan Group Stadium.
The O's will be desperate to avoid falling down the table with a third straight defeat, while the Addicks will be full of confidence after a strong month in the third tier.
Match preview
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After an undefeated December and New Year period, Richie Wellens's Orient have endured a mixed few weeks, winning five and losing five across all competitions since late January.
Last time out, the O's followed up their 2-1 loss away to Bolton Wanderers with a 2-0 defeat on the road to league-leaders Birmingham City on Tuesday, marking the second time that they lost back-to-back matches in February alone.
That poor result left Wellens's side sixth in the table ahead of this weekend's clash, level on 53 points with both seventh-placed Charlton and eighth-placed Bolton, both of whom have a game in hand on Orient.
However, Saturday's hosts can take heart from the fact that they have lost just once on their own turf in their nine most recent home league matches, drawing one and winning seven in a stretch going back to late November, and will feel capable of securing a positive result in front of their fans regardless of their recent form.
This weekend, three points could see the O's seize fifth from Huddersfield Town should results elsewhere prove favourable, though they will be most keen to distance themselves from their opponents.
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Meanwhile, Nathan Jones's Charlton have lost just one of their last nine games leading up to this crucial match, and considering that their single defeat was a narrow 1-0 loss to title-favourites Birmingham, the hosts will feel that they can take maximum points against Orient.
Last weekend, the Addicks ran out 3-0 winners against Exeter City when Tyreece Campbell and Miles Leaburn followed up an own goal from Angus MacDonald in a dominant display that made it five home wins on the bounce.
That being said, Saturday's visitors have not fared as well away from the Valley, and given that they have lost three, drawn one and won one of their five away games in 2025, it will take a special performance for them to triumph against their promotion rivals.
Earlier this season, Jones's side were eliminated from the EFL Trophy by their opponents, but they did take maximum points with a 1-0 win in the league's reverse fixture, and a repeat result this time around would see them steal the O's place in the playoff spots.
Team News
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Orient will be without left-back Jack Currie after his red card against Birmingham last time out, so expect Jayden Sweeney to start in his place this weekend.
Elsewhere, the O's are still missing centre-back Jack Simpson, who has not featured since February 18, and boss Wellens is likely to select Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Brandon Cooper at the heart of defence once again.
As for Charlton, striker Miles Leaburn may get the nod from Jones to start ahead of Matt Godden on Saturday after his goal from the bench against Exeter.
Supporting him will be fellow goalscorer Tyreece Campbell from the left wing, Luke Berry from an attacking midfield position and Thierry Small from the right flank.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Galbraith, Edmonds-Green, Cooper, Sweeney; Pratley, Brown; Agyei, Donley, Markanday; Kelman
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Anderson; Small, Berry, Campbell; Leaburn
We say: Leyton Orient 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Orient have been in mixed form lately, and all of the momentum seems to be with Charlton ahead of this weekend.
However, the Addicks have struggled on the road this term, so while they may be the better side, do not expect them to take maximum points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
