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  • Writer's pictureJake Walker

Preview: Macclesfield v Leyton Orient



Macclesfield entertain newly promoted Orient at Moss Rose in the second week of League Two fixtures, after contrasting fortunes for the two sides on the opening day of the season.


Sol Campbell’s side ensured consecutive seasons in the Football League after staying up by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the 2018/19 campaign. However, the new season hasn’t promised new habits for the Silkmen, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Exeter on Saturday.

 

Macclesfield are tipped to face the drop this season by most bookies, with Sol Campbell’s men the second favourites behind Morecambe to face the drop to the National League. 


Currently sat in 8th after just the one game so far this season, Orient will hope to build upon the performance of last Saturday’s 1-0 victory which saw strikers Angol and Wilkinson make their professional debut for the O’s as well as Ekpiteta and Ling keeping clean sheets on their EFL debut. 



Orient and Macclesfield are the last two clubs to win the National League and during the Silkmen’s six year stay in non-league, they shared their last season in the division with the O’s, picking up 4 points against them on route to the title. The 1-0 away win at Brisbane Road being memorable due to the adverse weather conditions causing North stand advertising boards to fly astray delaying the kick-off. 


Overall, Macclesfield have won eight of the 18 matches played against Orient with the O’s winning six and the points being shared on four occasions, including the most recent meeting between the sides. 


Nine of the Silkmen’s starting XI last weekend were summer signings - either permanent or loan contracts - the squad squad overhaul in the summer has left them to start the season from square one in terms of tactics and personnel. 


As for Orient the fitness of ‘keeper Dean Brill who sustained a concussion last week and the groin injury of left back Joe Widdowson could see the pair of who are usually ever-present on the team sheet miss out. 


Predicted Starting XI’s


Predicted Macclesfield Starting XI: Evans, Vassell, Kelleher, Welch-Hayes, Clarke, Harris, McCourt, Archibald, Osadabe, Ironside, Stephens. 


Predicted Leyton Orient Starting XI: Sargeant, Ling, Happe, Coulson, Ekpiteta, Brophy, Clay, Wright, Dennis, Wilkinson, Angol. 


What Do The Bookies Say?


Macclesfield: 11/5

Draw: 12/5

Orient: 11/8


*These odds can be found on Bet365*


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