Preview: Walsall vs Leyton Orient - prediction, team news, lineups

Leyton Orient will travel to the West Midlands on Tuesday evening when they face Walsall in the second round of the EFL Cup, with both sides dreaming of a potential tie against Premier League oppostion.

The Saddlers produced the biggest shock of the first round by beating Championship side Bristol City 1-0, while the O's left it late against Oxford United, scoring twice in the final five minutes to secure a 2-0 victory.

Match preview

Walsall began their season with a daunting trip to Ashton Gate, where they faced a strong Bristol City side expected to have too much for their League Two opponents, but Lee Grant's Saddlers had other ideas.

Aaron Pressley struck shortly after half-time to put the visitors ahead and, despite having just 28.3% possession and facing 32 shots, Walsall held firm to secure a memorable victory and book their place in the second round.

Goalkeeper Jed Ward was instrumental in that success, producing a string of impressive saves in Bristol, and the shot-stopper has continued that form by keeping clean sheets in each of Walsall's opening two League Two matches.

Grant's side followed up their cup triumph with a 3-0 victory away to Gillingham, with Isaac Moore, James Connolly and Pressley all finding the net deep into the second half, before being held to a goalless draw by Grimsby Town at the weekend.

While Ward's performances have been a major positive, Grant will be aware that Walsall are allowing opponents too many opportunities, having faced 63 shots across their opening three matches, an average of 21 per game.

Nevertheless, the Saddlers have made an encouraging start and sit third in League Two after two matches, with their attention now turning to a cup run and a potential return to League One for the first time since 2019.

As for Leyton Orient, Richie Wellens remains at the helm after guiding the club to safety last season, and he will now be hoping to take the O's back towards the top end of League One after they finished in the playoff places two seasons ago.

Orient have already enjoyed a busy start to the campaign, beating Oxford United in the first round of the EFL Cup before overcoming AFC Wimbledon on penalties in the EFL Trophy and securing a 2-0 league victory over Wigan Athletic at the weekend.

Their only defeat came on the opening day of the League One season, when they suffered a narrow loss to recently relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

The victory over Wigan was particularly welcome for Wellens, with close-range finishes from Tony Springett and Yusuf Akhamrich securing three points on the road.

It was Orient's first League One win in nine matches and a particularly encouraging result given their struggles on the road last season, when they managed just six victories in 23 away league outings, with Wellens now hoping his side can carry that positive start into Tuesday's cup tie.

The two sides will meet for the first time in more than three years, with their last encounter coming in February 2023 when they played out a 1-1 draw in League Two.

Walsall EFL Cup form:

Walsall form (all competitions):

Leyton Orient EFL Cup form:

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

Team News

Walsall have no fresh injury concerns after their goalless draw with Grimsby and could name an unchanged side as they look to claim another cup upset.

The strong Saddlers' defence is likely to remain the same, with Ward expected to continue in goal behind a back four of Elicha Ahui, Declan Skura, James Connolly and Mason Hancock.

Pressley has scored twice in three appearances and should once again lead the line for Grant.

Leyton Orient, meanwhile, will be forced into a change after goalkeeper Nathan Baxter was withdrawn before half-time during Saturday's 2-0 victory over Wigan due to injury.

Noah Phillips replaced him and is will start once again on Tuesday, having already started the EFL Trophy victory over AFC Wimbledon last week.

New signing and captain Isaac Hayden is expected to retain his place in midfield alongside Wellens' son, Charlie, while the O's boss may otherwise look to maintain the core of the side that impressed at the weekend.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Ward; Ahui, Skura, Connolly, Hancock; Moore, Sprangler; Simper, Clarke, Dallas; Pressley

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Phillips; Stevens, Olowu, Chindu, Morris; Hayden; Akhamrich, C. Wellens, El Mizouni, Springett; Kabia

We say: Walsall 0-1 Leyton Orient

Walsall produced one of the biggest shocks of the first round and have also made an unbeaten start to their League Two campaign, but they face another step up in quality against a Leyton Orient side from the division above.

The Saddlers have yet to concede this season and should make life difficult for the visitors, but we expect Orient to have enough attacking quality to finally breach Walsall's defence and secure a place in the third round.

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