Coca Cola League One, Saturday, September 6, 3pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Orient 23, Walsall 20, draws 13.
LAST TIME AT THE BESCOT: Walsall 0 Orient 0 (29-01-2008). The Saddlers stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 17 games.
After a brilliant start to the season, Orient's form – especially away – had dipped dramatically and with the O’s still battling on for a play-off place, an away point against one of the in form teams in the division was quite a good result.
FORM: Jimmy Mullen's side have made a strong start to the new season, picking up seven points from the opening four games of the season. An opening day draw to Yeovil at Huish Park, was followed by a defeat in the Carling Cup to Darlington and a 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe with Orient old boy Jabo Ibehre grabbing two goals in the Saddlers opening three games. The Saddlers then travelled to Crewe, where they were defeated 2-1, before thrashing Southend at Bescot last Saturday, sending them into Saturday's game on the back of an excellent win.
DANGER MAN: Orient fans will be wary of striker Jabo Ibehre.But they should also be worried about is England U19 midfielder Ishmel Demontagnac who sunk Southend on Saturday with a brilliant hat-trick.
FUN FACT: The highest transfer fee the Saddlers have ever paid, was when they splashed the cash to re-sign Birmingham City forward Alan Buckley for £175,000 in June 1979. Buckley – now Grimsby boss – went on to manage the Saddlers.
PREDICTION: Walsall 0 Orient 1
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