Last time out, Orient secured a 1-1 draw away from home against bottom of the league Scunthorpe, in a game manager Kenny Jackett described as a “dominant performance”. The O’s would have been disappointed to only pick up a point in a game they had been so comfortable in and now drop out of the playoff places down to eighth.
However Jackett’s men are unbeaten in five on their travels and will go to the Sixfields Stadium confident that they can test Northampton’s defence. Saturday’s opposition Northampton last beat relegation battlers Oldham 2-1 and currently sit in fourth place, occupying the top playoff spot. The Cobblers have won five of their last seven league games but have suffered two defeats in their last four away games.
Team News
Speaking to club media in his post-match interview after the draw against Scunthorpe, Jackett explained that he likes consistency in his starting line-ups, however he will probably be forced into making at least one change after midfielder Craig Clay came off after he rolled his ankle and looked to be in some pain in the last match. The midfielder has played nearly 200 games for the club since joining in 2017 and could be a big miss for Orient in the game at Sixfields Stadium.
Key Players For Northampton
The Cobblers have a strong squad in the league with plenty of key players, but none more important than centre-back Jon Guthrie. The experienced defender has started 17 out of 19 League Two matches this season since signing from Livingston in the summer, and has also netted four goals in League competition. Manager Jon Brady also has a host of talent going forward, most notably frontman Sam Hoskins, who has scored five in the league this season with four in his last seven matches.
Scoring Goals For Fun
Since signing from Ipswich Town in the summer, striker Aaron Drinan has been an important player for Leyton Orient. The Irish forward has had a good campaign so far netting eight times with three of these goals coming away from home including the only goal for Orient at Scunthorpe last time out. The O’s also have another forward on fire this season in Harry Smith, who last scored a brace against Sutton United and took his league tally up to nine goals for the season. Orient will be confident that they have the firepower to hurt Northampton as they travel to the Sixfields Stadium on Saturday.
