It might well be a new campaign on paper – but it’s now starting to feel as if the last one is actually still dragging on and on. It didn’t seem as if we knew how to respond to Newport’s early pelanty; our chronic lack of creativity making life a little easier for our visitors. And it leaves us without a goal to our name in four league games. Now, here come Leyton Orient. And something has to click or to change very soon if history isn’t going to repeat itself.
The Details: Stevenage v Leyton Orient
Where’s the game?
It’s back to the Lamex for the second time in five days.
Can I watch Stevenage v Leyton Orient?
You can – if you’re brave enough. For season ticket holders, the free iFollow Video Match Pass codes have landed already. If you’re going to pay-as-you-go, however, £10 gets you a Match Pass that you need for this one.
How are Boro’ shaping up…?
After four promising results at the top of the season, things now look a little less enjoyable. The midweek defeat to Tuesday had a depressing sense of deja vu about it; the silly mistake that gifted our opposition an early lead, then a significant chunk of the match spent huffing and puffing without much end result. At the moment, there just ain’t much that suggests we can turn a losing position into a drawing one – let alone a winning one.
The bottom line is we ain’t scoring goals. And that’s never a good sign.
… and how are they looking?
The Os aren’t setting the world alight. But, to be fair to them, they did have to deal with a much bigger coronavirus outbreak than we did. It meant they had a two-week layoff, after which their form took a bit of a dive. One draw and three defeats was their return once it was safe for them to return to action. But last time out saw ’em get back to winning ways; beating Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park. It’s a result that took the Os above Boro’ in the table… if that counts for much at this point in the season?
Our story with Leyton Orient so far
In one of our more abject displays of the 2019-20 campaign, our last meeting with the Os saw us lose 3-0 indoors. It’s almost pointless looking at last season for any real cues. But it does sum up our overall record against the East London side. Our 4-1 victory over them in February 2017 is one of only two for us in 13 league encounters. The other one came way back in August 2012. So, history isn’t exactly on our side here.
Last Meeting: Stevenage 0-3 Leyton Orient, 01 February 2020
Classic Encounter: Leyton Orient 1-2 Stevenage Borough, 07 December 1996
Who’s the referee in charge?
It’s more than a year since we were last in the company of Mr Drysdale. With it all ending early last season, that’s maybe less of a surprise. This will, however, be the 13th time he’s reffed us. Unlucky for some, eh? Up until our last encounter, there was either a winner or a loser when he was involved. And he was more likely to favour our opposition; five wins for Boro’ and six for whoever we were up against. When we say that, we do mean his presence. Not that he had any bearing on the outcome but for a duff decision or two.
So far this season, Mr Drysdale has been let loose seven times; handing out 17 yellows and one red. Morecambe’s Toumani Diagouraga is the unlucky lad to get sent off as his side lost 7-0 to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. Accrington’s 1-0 win over Fleetwood on Tuesday night, meanwhile, ended a run of four straight away wins on Drysdale’s watch. We’ll be sure to thank Stanley if that plays into our hands this weekend. God knows we hope it does.
Last Meeting: Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Stevenage, 21 September 2019
I have £1 to bet – what are my options?
In a turn up for the book(ies), Boro’ are ahead in the outright win market – although you can still get value from a £1 punt with a best price of 29/20 (SkyBet). In some places, the Os are out as far as 2s (multiple). If you think that someone is going to emerge from this game with nil to their name, you can find ‘No’ on the Both Teams To Score market at the enticing price of 23/20 (multiple). For that nil to be against our name for another league match, Under 0.5 on Total Home Goals is 11/4.
Prices may change. Be Gamble Aware – when the fun stops, knock it on the head…
Stevenage v Leyton Orient: Our verdict?
If things are going to start turning in our favour, we reckon it might have all the pace of an oil tanker at this stage. 1-1. Effiong penalty.