Date: 19/10/2019
Time: 15:00
Venue: Blundell Park
Carl Fletcher will be keeping a close eye on his side in action for the first time since his appointment. Martin Ling claimed, “he has all the credentials to take this football club forward” whilst Fletcher’s former boss, Eddie Howe admitted the departure of his colleague from AFC Bournemouth filled him with “a bit of sadness” but maintained the view that he leaves with the “best wishes” of the Cherries.
Although the O’s currently linger in the bottom half of the table, in 17th they are just five points off the play-off places. Uneaten in their last three in the league, form has picked up for Ross Embleton’s side, and they will be hoping that he can bow out of his role with a victory after a very valiant stint as the Head Coach.
Upon their last visit to Blundell Park, in August of 2016, Orient travelled home with all three points after Ollie Palmer’s winner provided a 2-1 victory. However, the Mariners do have history on their side, winning 23 of the 55 meetings between the sides compared to Orient’s 18.
Tenth placed Grimsby have lost four of their last five in all competitions, however they sit seven places above Saturday’s counterparts in the table with 18 points. Despite maintaining a place in the top half of the table, recent league fixtures have seen Michael Jolley’s side fall to defeat against Stevenage, Mansfield and Exeter in their last three games.
Team News
Conor Wilkinson is set to serve the first of his three-game suspension after seeing red against Walsall last weekend, his strike partner Lee Angol as well as Jobi McAnuff and Jamie Turley are also forced out due to injuries.
Predicted Starting XI's
Predicted Grimsby Starting XI: McKeown, Hendrie, Davis, Waterfall, Hewitt, Cook, Hessenthaler, Whitehouse, Hanson, Green.
Predicted Orient Starting XI: Brill, Widdowson, Coulson, Happe, Judd, Brophy, Clay, Wright, Gorman, Dennis, Harrold.
What Do the Bookies Say?
Grimsby: 21/20
Draw: 12/5
Orient: 21/20
These odds can be found on Fansbet.com
