Another massive game tonight as the Seagulls take on Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road looking to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at Brentford.

Following that defeat at Brentford the Seagulls sit just 2 points clear of the bottom 4 in League One which includes Orient.

Orient themselves had a bad weekend going down 5-0 to Bournemouth, who are also struggling this season, so the importance of the game is clear to see for both sides.

That 5-0 defeat saw Bournemouth overtake the O’s thanks to goal difference. That was something Orient manager and one time Albion midfielder Martin Ling didn’t see coming before the game: “It’s a 10-goal swing to them - they get plus five and we get minus five”

“At the start of the day, I didn’t think it was humanly possible for them to go above us.”

So now the Seagulls will be coming up against a team with damaged pride. Before the Bournemouth game Orient had been on a decent run which had seen them beat Port Vale 2-1, thrash Crewe 4-0 away from home and hold Bristol City 1-1 at home. The best result of their season came back in December as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at the City Ground.

So it would be wrong of the Seagulls to go into the game expecting an easy ride just because of the result at the weekend.

Just a few years back this game would have been billed as a derby game or sorts, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. It was during a time when a Brighton v’s Palace match looked so far off that perhaps we were looking for a new rival?

There were some interesting games over the years as Orient seemed to hold a curse over the Seagulls getting the better of them on many occasions. The last few games have seen the Albion turn that form around.

Early in the season at the Withdean the Seagulls thrashed Orient 4-1 with goals from Paul Reid, Adam El-Abd, Dean Cox and Doug Loft.

Ticket news

It’s now pay on the day for Albion fans. Away supporters are accommodated in the South wing of the East Stand which holds around 1,500.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Adults: £18.00
Over 65s: £12.00
Students (with NUS): £12.00
Juniors (9yrs - 15yrs): £6.00

Team news

Leyton Orient will be without three key players for tonight’s game. All 3 injuries were picked up in the 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Defender Justin Miller, midfielder Luke Gutteridge and former Albion target striker Jabo Ibehre all picked up knocks.

For the Albion they will be without defender Kerry Mayo begins a two-match ban after being dismissed in Saturday’s defeat at Brentford. Sam Rents is expect to take his place.

Bas Savage or Joe Gatting are expected to return upfront after a disappointing show up front against Brentford on Saturday.

Added on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 at 12:10 pm under Previews by Wilka.