Preview:Leyton Orient vs. Crawley Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Leyton Orient square off against Crawley Town on Boxing Day looking for the win that could take the club into the top half of the League One table.

However, the visitors make their way to Brisbane Road sitting just six points adrift of their hosts, despite being in the relegation zone.

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Match preview

Having spent much of the season down in the lower echelons of League One, it has been easy to overlook Leyton Orient's recent outstanding form.

Just one defeat has been posted in their last 11 matches in all competitions, an improved run in the league coming at the same time as reaching the FA Cup third round.

Richie Wellens has been largely focused on moving Orient away from the relegation zone, a run of 10 points being accumulated from four games establishing a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom four.

Most impressively, however, Orient have kept clean sheets in six of their last seven league fixtures, with the only goals being conceded coming in a 2-0 reverse at home to fourth-placed Huddersfield Town.

Last time out, Wellens witnessed his side storm to a 4-0 triumph away at Barnsley, and they will now hope to improve on a home record that has seen them post just 12 points from 10 encounters.

As for Crawley, Rob Elliot has started to make a lasting impact at the newly-promoted side after his switch from National League club Gateshead.

A recent run of 12 points came from seven matches, victories over the likes of Lincoln City and Charlton Athletic moving the club back into contention to get out of the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, defeats to Peterborough United and Birmingham City - by 4-3 and 1-0 scorelines respectively - have ensured that the Red Devils remain two points adrift of safety.

Despite their recent improvements on their travels, this is a team that have lost six of their 10 away league games with just eight goals to their name, three of which came in the loss at Peterborough.

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Team News

Barring any unforeseen fitness issues, there is no reason for Wellens to tinker with an Orient side that won 4-0 last time out.

Although Sonny Perkins scored his second league goal of the season as a substitute, the forward is unlikely to be rewarded with a starting role.

Having started the Birmingham game as a replacement due to illness, Ronan Darcy is expected to be drafted back into the Crawley XI for this contest.

Darcy could act as a straight replacement - in one of several positions depending on the formation - for Ade Adeyemo, who is ruled out of this fixture due to concussion.

Bradley Ibrahim and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy are options in midfield and out wide if Elliot wishes to introduce fresh legs.

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup: Keely; Galbraith, Beckles, Happe, Currie; Pratley, Brown; Agyei, Donley, O'Neill; Kelman

Crawley Town possible starting lineup: Wollacott; Mullarkey, Conroy, Barker; Forster, Camara, Kelly, Anderson, Darcy; Swan; Showunmi

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We say: Leyton Orient 2-1 Crawley Town

With both teams having been in relatively good form of late, this should prove to be a competitive encounter. However, with an unbeaten run and longer recovery period in their favour, we have to back Orient to come through this game, potentially during the closing stages.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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