Charlton vs Leyton Orient predictions: Orient can upset the odds
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- Leyton Orient are unbeaten in their last nine matches
- Charlton are the lowest scorers among the League One playoff participants
- Recommended bet: Leyton Orient to be promoted
Charlton Athletic are a club with Premier League history and top-flight potential, but their immediate objective is to get the better of London rivals Leyton Orient in a fascinating League One play-off final.
The Addicks are approaching the end of a fifth successive third tier season and will be feeling confident after their 1-0 aggregate semi-final success over Wycombe Wanderers.
Nathan Jones’ side were 11th at the turn of the year, but gathered 51 points from their last 22 games and were in the hunt for a top-two finish until losing 3-0 at Wrexham in their 45th game.
Orient finished the season in superb style, posting six successive wins to get the better of Reading in the race for sixth place.
The Londoners went into the play-offs with confidence and passed a stern test against Stockport County, winning 4-1 on penalties after a second leg 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park.
Team news
For the Addicks Lloyd Jones and Thierry Small shook off minor injuries in time for the play-offs, but Miles Leaburn has been absent since March.
Jordan Brown returned to action for the O's for the semi-final second leg against the Hatters, but Dan Happe and Theo Archibald are long-term absentees.
Ollie O'Neill battled back from injury in time for the play-offs and made his first start since January in the semi-final second leg at Stockport.
The stats
Charlton have lost only one of their last 10 fixtures, but the Addicks' last two defeats have been by a 3-0 scoreline.
Orient have won six of their last eight matches and have opened the scoring in each of their last four games.
Seven of their last eight matches have featured goals for both teams.
Prediction
Orient upset the odds by coming through their play-off semi-final against third-placed Stockport and they look overpriced to defeat Charlton at Wembley.
There will be more backing in the stands for the well-supported Addicks, but that is unlikely to faze the O's, who have shown they can perform in hostile environments.
Richie Wellens' side won four successive away games towards the end of the League One season and dealt superbly with their semi-final second leg at Stockport, going toe-to-toe with the Hatters and showing nerves of steel in the shootout.
Charlton’s matches against Wycombe were more attritional affairs with the Addicks relying heavily on solid defence.
But there was a lack of offensive quality on show, with Matty Godden breaking the second-leg deadlock with one of only three shots on target.
Charlton would favour turning the final into a gritty, physical affair, but they may struggle to contain their opposition, who have shown a fearless attitude in recent weeks.
Orient have netted two goals or more in six of their last eight games and their offensive prowess, including prolific striker Charlie Kelman – 21 goals in 46 league games – may give them the edge.
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