Luton Town vs Leyton Orient: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News
Luton Town aims to secure consecutive victories in League One when they face Leyton Orient at Kenilworth Road on Monday. Currently, Luton sits eighth, just three points shy of the playoffs, while Leyton Orient ranks 12th, with a four-point cushion above the relegation zone and seven points from the top six.
Match Preview: Luton Town vs Leyton Orient
Luton achieved a remarkable 4-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day. Gideon Kodua scored twice, accompanied by goals from Jordan Clark and Shayden Morris. Team manager Jack Wilshere expressed pride in his players’ response after suffering a 3-2 loss to Reading prior to this match.
Notably, the Hatters secured their first clean sheet since November 15 while maintaining a scoring streak across their last six league fixtures. A win against Leyton Orient would intensify pressure on rivals such as Bolton Wanderers, Stevenage, and Stockport County, all closely trailing in the standings. Wilshere is optimistic, believing his team has strong potential for promotion this season. Historically, Luton has not lost to Leyton Orient since 2008.
Leyton Orient’s Recent Performance
On the other hand, Leyton Orient is looking to recover from a 1-0 defeat against Peterborough United, where a late header from Declan Frith secured victory for the Posh. Manager Richie Wellens criticized his team’s lack of aggression, highlighting their inability to build on a previous 2-1 win over Bradford City. Leyton Orient’s recent form has been inconsistent, amassing five wins, two draws, and five losses since October.
- Recent League One Form:
- Luton Town: WDDDLW
- Leyton Orient: DWDLWL
Leyton Orient also faces challenges defensively, with one of the worst records in the league. Only Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle have conceded more goals. Despite this, they possess a strong attacking front, ranking third in the league for goals scored. However, key player Aaron Connolly is sidelined due to injury.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Luton is not expected to make many changes following their significant win. Nahki Wells will lead the attack, supported by Kodua, Clark, and Cohen Bramall. Midfielders Lamine Fanne and Liam Walsh are likely to continue, while Joe Johnson will fill in at left-back due to Kal Naismith’s calf injury.
Leyton Orient will count on 20-year-old striker Dom Ballard, who has struggled to make an impact recently. With Connolly out, Tyreeq Bakinson and Jack Moorhouse are anticipated to remain in midfield, and Josh Koroma might substitute for Demetri Mitchell on the wing.
| Team | Possible Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| Luton Town | Keeley; Lonwijk, Mengi, Andersen, Johnson; Fanne, Walsh; Kodua, Clark, Bramall; Wells |
| Leyton Orient | Simkin; Craig, Beckles, Happe, Simpson; Moorhouse, Bakinson; Koroma, Wellens, O’Neill; Ballard |
Predictions lean towards a narrow win for Luton Town, potentially concluding the match with a score of 1-0 against Leyton Orient. With recent momentum and a successful track record, Luton appears poised for victory.
