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

Two teams targeting a playoff spot will go head-to-head when Leyton Orient welcome Blackpool to Brisbane Road in Tuesday's League One encounter.

The O's are in ninth place and six points adrift of the top six, while the Tangerines are two points better off in eighth position.

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Match preview

Leyton Orient will carry some momentum into the midweek fixture after they came from a goal down to edge out Oxford United in Saturday's away meeting.

After going into the half-time break with a one-goal deficit, the O's restored parity within six minutes of the restart thanks to Ollie O'Neill's second goal for the club, before George Moncur scored the winning goal to clinch all three points.

Having won eight of their last 12 league games (D2, L2), Leyton Orient will be looking to claim another win on Tuesday as look to move to within three points of the playoffs.

Although they lost to Burton Albion in their most recent home outing, Richie Wellens's side can draw inspiration from the fact that they have won four of their previous six matches at Brisbane Road.

Leyton Orient will be hoping to make full use of home advantage as they attempt to beat Blackpool for the first time since recording a 1-0 victory in March 2001.

Blackpool will travel to the capital off the back of an eventful three-game period, where they claimed league wins either side of a defeat in the EFL Trophy semi-final.

After edging out Peterborough United in a league victory, the Tangerines were beaten 3-0 by Posh in the EFL Trophy just a few days later, bringing an end to their hopes of winning the competition for the first time in 20 years.

Neil Critchley's side ultimately recovered from that disappointment to come from behind to beat 10-man Bolton Wanderers 4-1 courtesy of a Jake Beesley brace as well as efforts from Marvin Ekpiteta and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel.

Not only did that result extend their unbeaten home run to seven league games, but it also moved them to within four points of the top six.

The Tangerines will need to improve on their travels if they are to secure a playoff place, having picked up just 16 of their 53 points from their 16 away matches.

However, their recent head-to-head record will certainly provide cause for optimism, with their last six meetings with Leyton Orient producing five wins and one draw.

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Team News

Leyton Orient are unable to call upon Dan Happe, Jordan Graham and Dan Agyei, with the trio currently missing through injury.

Barring any new injury concerns, Wellens could be tempted to select an unchanged lineup for Tuesday's home fixture.

Ruel Sotiriou, who is set to lead the line for the O's, will be looking to add to the 10 league goals that he has scored during the current campaign.

As for the Tangerines, Jordan Rhodes remains sidelined with a rib injury that has kept him out of action since the end of January.

Beesley will retain his place in the Blackpool lineup after scoring a brace on his first league start since returning from injury earlier this month.

The 27-year-old could be joined in the front two by Kyle Joseph, who featured as a half-time substitute in Saturday's win over Bolton.

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup: Brynn; Galbraith, Beckles, Cooper, James; Pratley, El Mizouni; Forde, Moncur, O'Neill; Sotiriou

Blackpool possible starting lineup: Grimshaw; Pennington, Ekpiteta, Husband; Lawrence-Gabriel, Dembele, Norburn, Byers, Coulson; Joseph, Beesley

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We say: Leyton Orient 1-1 Blackpool

Blackpool will be looking to claim a third consecutive league win on Tuesday, but having struggled for consistency on the road this season, we think that the Tangerines will be held to a draw by a Leyton Orient side who have lost just one of their last six home matches.

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

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