BLUEBIRDS TRAVEL TO LONDON TO FACE ORIENT
- Sam Hill
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
The league leaders travel to Brisbane Road this Saturday to take on Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient, who sit just one point above the relegation zone.
The Opposition:
Richie Wellens was appointed Leyton Orient manager in March 2022, replacing Kenny Jackett after the club had slipped to 20th in League Two following an 11-game winless run.
He quickly stabilised the O’s and oversaw a remarkable turnaround, guiding them to the League Two title in the 2022/2023 season. A feat that earned Wellens the EFL League Two Manager of the Season award.
Since promotion, Orient consolidated in the third tier with an 11th place finish before exceeding expectations last season by reaching the play-off final. However, their hopes of a first Championship return since 1982 were denied via a narrow 1-0 defeat to London rivals Charlton Athletic at Wembley.
Tactically, Wellens favours a possession-based front-foot approach, most commonly utilising a 4-2-3-1 system. Orient average 52.6% possession, the seventh highest in the division, and rank fifth for goals scored per game at 1.5.
However, that impressive attacking intent has come at a cost this season. Orient have the joint-worst defensive record in League One, conceding 1.7 goals per game, which leaves them just one point above the relegation zone.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff have enjoyed a fruitful festive period, collecting three wins and a draw from their last four league games to maintain their position at the top of the table.
Last time out, they were comfortable 1-0 winners over Wigan Athletic at the Cardiff City Stadium, sealing an eighth consecutive home victory thanks to a stunning 25-yard strike from captain Calum Chambers.
Barry-Murphy's side held 82% ball possession and limited the Lactics to just three shots on goal in a dominant display.
Defensively, City have taken clear strides forward, conceding just two goals combined in their last four league outings. A big improvement that further strengthens their push for automatic promotion.
On their travels, Cardiff hold the second-best away record in the league with 18 points from 11 matches and could move top of that chart with victory in London.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Dominic Ballard has been one of Leyton Orient’s standout performers since joining from Southampton on deadline day.
The 20-year-old striker was highly rated for his goalscoring record at academy level and arrived following mixed League One loan spells at Reading, Blackpool and Cambridge United.
An aggressive presser from the front, Ballard also has intelligent movement and clinical finishing ability, which are traits rarely found in a striker of his age.
Under Richie Wellens’ guidance, he is enjoying his most productive senior season to date, registering 11 goals and 2 assists in 18 league starts to sit joint-second in the league for goals.
His relentless energy, movement and sharp finishing will make him Orient’s main attacking threat, and the Cardiff defence will need to monitor him closely.
Last Meeting:
Cardiff City 4-3 Leyton Orient (2025)
Just over three months ago, City secured all three points in a seven-goal thriller at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Dylan Lawlor scored his first senior goal following a remarkable run from the back, while Callum Robinson scored a brace, including the winner, and top scorer Yousef Salech also got on the scoresheet.
Brian Barry-Murphy described the game as “chaotic” post-match, and the stats truly reflected it. The lead changed four times, with 42 shots in total and 18 on target between the two sides in an unforgettable fixture.
Team News:
Cardiff City – Cian Ashford is ruled out with a knock, while Dylan Lawlor is a doubt due to muscle fatigue. Rubin Colwill and Eli King remain sidelined.
Leyton Orient – Aaron Connolly (quad), Rarmani Edmonds-Green (ACL), and Idris El Mizouni (ankle) are all out with long-term injuries. Welsh defender Tom James is also a doubt.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB – Will Fish
LCB – Calum Chambers
LB – Joel Bagan
CDM - Ryan Wintle
CDM – Alex Robertson
CAM – Callum Robinson
RW – Omari Kellyman
LW – Chris Willock
ST – Yousef Salech
Score Prediction:
Leyton Orient 1-3 Cardiff City
As noted above, City were narrow winners in a seven-goal thriller in the reverse fixture in October. This time, I expect a more measured, controlled performance from the Bluebirds.
Their recent defensive improvements, combined with an array of strong attacking options, should allow City to exploit Orient’s vulnerabilities, with the London side holding the joint-worst defensive record in the division.
I therefore see the league leaders securing a comfortable 3-1 victory on the road.
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