English Football League 
/ Alan Dudman / 10 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Russel Slade has put together a very effective unit at Brisbane Rd
"Orient haven't lost a league game since New Year's Day (a 5-0 drubbing at Brighton) and could just make a late charge into the play-offs. There has been no FA Cup hangover, and Tuesday's win over Walsall pushed them up to seventh place in the table."
Al Dudman thinks Leyton Orient are just magic and can keep one of the season's most unlikely promotion bids on track this weekend
Leyton Orient [1.85] v Oldham Athletic [4.80], the draw [3.55]
There are some amazing things in this world. Chocolate biscuits, magicians and Susannah Hoffs to name but three. There is a fourth though, and it's this amazing team that Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade has produced, and a quite staggering run of results.
Orient haven't lost a league game since New Year's Day (a 5-0 drubbing at Brighton) and could just make a late charge into the play-offs. There has been no FA Cup hangover, and Tuesday's win over Walsall pushed them up to seventh place in the table. Their season is very much alive, and are currently [9.8] to get promoted.
The Londoners dominated the game at the Saddlers for long periods, playing some neat one- and two-touch football. Slade plays a 4-4-2, which alternates to a 4-5-1 when leading scorer Alex Revell tucks in. They do have craft and guile, added to the league's second best defensive home record.
Oldham meanwhile have slipped down to mid-table, and are in a wretched run of eight games without a win. Goals are a problem (despite scoring twice in the 3-2 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek), whilst the leaky defence has a habit of crumbling under pressure.
Best bet: Back Leyton Orient to win @ [1.85]
Back Orient to win 2-0 [10.0] and 3-0 [19.0]
Colchester United [2.44] v MK Dons [3.05], the draw [3.35]
The MK Dons are another 'momentum' team worth backing this weekend, and once again I think their price is too big. Last Saturday Karl Robinson's side were similar odds at Rochdale - and they thumped the Dale 4-1 at Spotland with an ultra-convincing display.
Tuesday night was no different when they dispatched play-off hopefuls Charlton 2-0 in a game where the Addicks were not allowed to create anything upfront. Robinson described that success as one of the most important wins of the season. Added to that, the MK Dons have really got their act together on their travels.
The Buckinghamshire outfit have a good footballing philosophy, instilled into them by a manager who is very calm and confident. They create plenty of chances and are excellent in reaching the final third, a quality that many lack in this league. The MK Dons can move at pace, and their movement can sometimes be too hot to handle.
This game will suit Colchester better, who got embroiled in a dogfight at Dagenham on Tuesday night. Manager John Ward called that a soft display in a poor game of football. Fighting and scrapping isn't really what the Essex side do, as they tend to play possession football with a good tempo. The home team can score here, however the MK Dons are rolling and will be confident to go playing for the win - which also brings into play the overs.
Suggested bet: Back MK Dons to win @ [3.05]
Back over 2.5 goals @ [2.1]
Back MK Dons to win 1-2 @ [14.0] and 1-3 [22.0]
Bristol Rovers [4.00] v Huddersfield Town [2.02], the draw [3.50]
Bristol Rovers sacked Dave Penney on Monday, and have installed player (and fans favourite) Stuart Campbell in charge - and he worked the magic on Tuesday by switching formation in a 1-0 win against Tranmere. The players looked happier, and it
seems all was not well under Penney. Has the gloom lifted?
Huddersfield need a win to keep in touch for automatic promotion, but will be without star winger Antony Pilkington who suffered an horrific leg break in midweek against Rochdale, an injury that rocked manager Lee Clark and his team. It could have a galvanising efffect on the Terriers, who are more resolute and solid these days rather than spectacular.
I'd like Huddersfield to win, but I think it's going to be a scrap. The [2.02] on offer for an away victory is tempting, but the safer option could be the unders at around [2.00].
Suggested bets: Back under 2.5 goals @ [2.0] or bigger.
Back 1-1 @ [12.0]
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