Two sides who endured contrasting fortunes on the opening weekend of League One meet at Brisbane Road this Saturday, as Leyton Orient take on Wigan Athletic.
Orient suffered play-off final heartbreak in May when a 1-0 defeat to local rivals Charlton denied them promotion to the Championship. They were so close to capping a marvellous season with a place in the second tier, but there was more than a hint of a play-off final hangover last weekend as they got the new season underway.
They were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline at Huddersfield, and while The Terriers are considered one of the favourites for automatic promotion, it was still a concerning outcome for Richie Wellens and his side.
It was a much happier start to the 2025/26 season for Wigan, who beat Northampton 3-1 at the DW Stadium. They had 20 shots in that game, and won it comfortably, largely thanks to a brace from Fraser Murray. It was the perfect start for Ryan Lowe who drew seven of his 11 games at the end of last season, after taking the Wigan job in March.
How the bookies view it: Orient backed to bounce back
The O’s are the favourites with the bookies, with a home win priced at 21/20 by Boylesports. The draw is on offer at 9/4, but given the hugely contrasting fortunes of these teams on matchday one, the value may lie with Wigan at 12/5.
Recent head-to-head: Few goals when these clubs meet
The recent clashes between these teams have not been especially entertaining. All of the last four meetings have served up two or fewer goals, and the last meeting ended goalless in East London in April.
Players to watch: Murray to deliver again at long odds?
You can back Wigan’s opening weekend hero to build on his brace against Northampton, and score anytime in this match at tempting odds of 6/1. Murray was not a prolific scorer for his previous club Kilmarnock, but he did net four times in the Scottish Premiership last term, and already looks at home in the English third tier.
Predicted Lineups
Jordan Graham and Theo Archibald remain sidelined for the home team due to injuries. Wellens isn’t expected to make major changes, despite a poor start to the season.
Dion Rankine, Joe Adams, and Matt Smith are expected to miss out for the visitors due to injuries.
Leyton Orient: Simkin, Adaramola, Happe, Edmonds-Green, James, Abdulai, Bakinson, Clare, Koroma, Connolly, Perkins.
Wigan: Tickle, Carragher, Sessegnon, Kerr, Francois, Murray, Brenan, Weir, Hungbo, Saydee, Costelloe.
Anything else catch the eye?
When a team goes so close to achieving something historic, which promotion to the Championship would have been for Leyton Orient, it’s not uncommon to see them take a bit of time to get into their groove again the following season.
While it’s too early to say that Orient are definitely in that predicament, Wigan’s impressive start after a busy summer suggests they might just surprise a few people this term, and you can back Wigan or draw at 7/10 in the double chance market here with Boylesports.
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