EFL League One Tuesday, 17 February 2026 Brisbane Road (The BetWright Stadium) By Declan Murphy
Leyton Orient return to East London on Tuesday night looking to snap a four-game winless run as they welcome a Plymouth Argyle side currently riding high after a clinical 4-0 demolition of Blackpool.
The “O’s” enter the clash sitting 18th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. However, manager Richie Wellens remains “really encouraged” by a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Stockport County last Saturday a performance that saw four players handed their club debuts.
The Saints Connection: Ballard’s Goal Quest
For Southampton fans keeping a close eye on loanee Dom Ballard, tonight is a significant one. The 20-year-old forward remains the joint-top goal-scorer in League One with 15 goals this campaign, yet he finds himself in the middle of a rare four-game goal drought.
Orient have won their last three games when Ballard has found the net, making his battle with Plymouth’s defensive unit a key deciding factor. The task of shackling Ballard falls to Alex Mitchell. The on-loan Charlton defender has been a standout for the Pilgrims, and manager Tom Cleverley has already hinted at a permanent move for the centre-back this summer.
Tonight marks the third meeting between these two sides this season, effectively acting as a tie-breaker:
- August: Orient took the league spoils with a 1-0 win at Home Park.
- December: Plymouth struck back in the Vertu Trophy, with Lorent Tolaj netting a 93rd-minute winner at Brisbane Road.
Tolaj, who has 15 goals in all competitions this season, is expected to lead the line for the visitors alongside the in-form Bim Pepple, who netted in Argyle’s recent four-goal surge
Off-Pitch: A Billion-Pound Vision
While the immediate focus is on the relegation battle, the air around Brisbane Road is filled with talk of the club’s long-term future. Following the appointment of world-renowned architects Populous the team behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the O’s are moving forward with plans for a 20,000-seat “zero-carbon” stadium campus targeted for 2031.
Majority shareholder David Gandler’s vision includes a multi-sport hub that would host a London American Football franchise, a clear signal that despite their current league position, Orient are building a foundation for Championship football.
Team News & Prediction
- Leyton Orient: Richie Wellens is expected to name an unchanged side from the Stockport draw. Dylan Levitt is set to start in midfield after an impressive debut.
- Plymouth Argyle: Tom Cleverley has “selection headaches” with Bradley Ibrahim and Lorent Tolaj back from injury, though they may start on the bench after the Blackpool masterclass.
Table Positions: Orient (18th), Plymouth (12th).
Form: Orient (DWLLLD), Plymouth (WWDLLW).
Kick-off: 7:45 PM at Brisbane Road
