Leyton Orient-Southend United Betting Preview: Backing the hosts to strike the first blow in the Football League Trophy Southern Final
Feb 4, 2013 9:45:00 AM
The League One side are at home for the first leg of the regional showpiece, and Al Hain-Cole expects them to continue their solid recent form with a win against The Shrimpers
The regional finals of the Football League Trophy take place on Wednesday, with Leyton Orient playing host to Southend United for the first leg of the Southern division tie.Predictably, League One Orient are favourites to proceed and face Coventry or Crewe in the national showpiece, and Bet365 are offering odds of 10/11 (1.91) on them picking up a handy first leg victory.
Unlike their opponents, the visitors have won this regional division before, and they are available at 3/1 (4.00) to put one foot in the final and reach Wembley by coming out on top here.
These sides most recently faced off in last season's Capital One Cup, when they shared a 1-1 draw in normal time, and you can get odds of 5/2 (3.50) on them cancelling each other out once again.
The Os have only lost one of their last nine games at the Matchroom Stadium within 90 minutes, and will be in good spirits after going their last four matches without defeat.
Paul Sturrock's side, meanwhile, have lost three and won just one of their previous five fixtures on the road, so seem unlikely to pose too much of a threat to a team currently plying their trade at a superior level.
All things considered, that price of 10/11 (1.91) looks extremely tempting on the home win, and must be where the smart money lies in this game.
Russell Slade will have been particularly pleased with his team's defensive performances recently, as the back four have now kept two consecutive clean sheets, including against free-scoring Swindon Town.
With their opponents only having scored three goals in their last four games, and likely to be without the services of injured top scorer Gavin Tomlin, another shutout looks to be on the cards for the hosts.
Backing Orient to win to nil would have paid out in each of their previous three ties in this competition this season, and is well worth a flutter at odds of 21/10 (3.10).
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Leyton Orient to win at 10/11 (1.91) with Bet365 |
Leyton Orient to win to nil at 21/10 (3.10) with Bet365 |
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Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.
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