Leyton Orient v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Deadly Submarine
October 17 2008
We take a look ahead to tomorrow’s game as Rovers travel to London to face Leyton Orient in Coca-Cola League One. On the back of three matches unbeaten, Ronnie Moore’s men will be hoping for another good result at a Ground where they have lost in both of the last two seasons.
After the fallout from last weeks 3-1 home defeat to Millwall at Prenton Park, the Superwhites take to the road once more in the hope of maintaining their recently impressive away form.
North East London is the destination on Saturday as Leyton Orient lie in wait and although the hosts haven't started off too well this season, Tranmere's past record at Brisbane Road does not make good reading so the result will no doubt be difficult to predict.
In the eleven League matches played between the sides at Orient since they first met there in the League in 1968, Rovers have won just twice and both of those games were a close 1-0 triumph.
When Rovers lose at Orient though (and they have lost seven of those eleven games), they usually lose badly with the last three meetings being no exception.
Last season, after the game was switched to a Tuesday night due to Tranmere's involvement in the third round of the FA Cup against Hereford United, Orient ran out 3-0 winners despite Tranmere's dominance in the game, although Rovers were not helped by the stupid sending off of Shane Sherriff who failed to heed the earlier warnings from both referee and Manager.
The season before, the first meeting at Brisbane Road between the sides for sixteen years, Rovers' makeshift defence which included both Gareth Taylor and Danny Harrison at the back, leaked three goals again whilst Chris Greenacre got on the score sheet at the other end in a 3-1 defeat.
In 1991, Rovers lost 4-0 at the Orient but an interesting statistic is that in the home games between the sides, six of Rovers seven home wins against the O's have been 3-0 with Orient winning their two games at Prenton Park 3-0 and 3-1.
So history suggests that Rovers will struggle in London on Saturday but current form might suggest otherwise. Orient have failed to win in their last five matches in League One and have only won once at home so far this season.
Three seems to be magic number in this match build up too as Orient have lost their last two home matches 3-0 and 3-1 to Leicester City and Stockport County respectively.
In contrast, despite struggling at home, Rovers are unbeaten in their last three games on the road notching two wins and a draw and so far this season they have failed to win, draw or lose two matches in a row. If that trend continues on Saturday therefore, Rovers will either win or draw.
Rovers may well come up against former player Sean Thornton yet again after his loan spell at League Two side Shrewsbury ended last week so Rovers fans will be looking forward to a ‘friendly' re-union with the man they love to hate.
There is expected to be a full house at Brisbane Road on Saturday as the O's run special offers for local residents so the more support Rovers have down there the better. If you are going to the game get behind them and let's hope for another three points on our travels.
Tranmere Team News
Craig Curran is out for around four weeks with stomach problems but Ronnie Moore will otherwise have a full squad to choose from following the return from International duty of Ian Goodison and Edrissa Sonko.
Match Officials
Referee
Andy D'Urso (Essex)
Assistant Referees
Carl Berry (Surrey)
Richard Kendall (Bedfordshire)
Fourth Official
David Bushell (London)
Top-Scorers
Tranmere Rovers - Ryan Shotton and Bas Savage (3 Goals)
Leyton Orient - Adam Boyd (6 Goals)
Head-to-Head (League)
Tranmere Record Vs Leyton Orient:
Away: P11 W2 D2 L7 F7 A22
Overall: P11 W7 D2 L2 F23 A9
Form Guide
Tranmere Rovers
Overall - LWDLWL
Away - LLWDW
Leyton Orient
Overall - WLLLDL
Home - WDLL
Current Season Record
Tranmere Rovers
Overall - P10 W4 D1 L5 F17 A19
Away - P5 W2 D1 L2 F8 A10
Leyton Orient
Overall - P10 W2 D3 L5 F8 A17
Home - P5 W1 D2 L2 F5 A9
Last Season at Brisbane Road
Tuesday 8th January 2008 - Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient 3 - 0 Tranmere Rovers
Gray 11 Sherriff Sent Off 50
Thornton 84
Demetriou 90
Brisbane Road Stadium Information
Click Here for Information on Brisbane Road (Football Grounds Website)
