Away trend between Orient and Posh could continue in play-offs

During their regular season meetings, the away team won battles between Leyton Orient and Peterborough United. Posh are favourites with Coral, however, both to win this play-off semi-final first leg at 5/4, and odds-on to reach Wembley at 4/5, despite the fact they have only beaten this opposition once at home in four attempts this century.

Punters that believe the away day trend will continue should back Russell Slade’s side at 9/4. Orient are even-money to come through this tie. A first leg draw is priced at 11/5, and that may be tempting because both clubs have netted twice as many as they have conceded in their last five.

There is thus merit in considering the win and both teams to score market. Peterborough are 17/5 chances here, while Orient are 11/2. It’s odds-on at 4/6 that these two sides will both find the target.

Orient boast the third best attack and third meanest defence in the division, while Posh have conceded the joint-most of League One’s top six this term, yet are unbeaten in five. Their opponents have lost twice during the run-in.

Peterborough top scorer Britt Assombalonga is even-money for a goal anytime, after three in his last six, but punters can enjoy better value on left-sided player Tommy Rowe. He netted in both meetings this season and has three in four outings against Orient, so odds of 5/2 are more alluring.

For the visitors, leading marksman David Mooney has a perfect four in four record against Posh, comes into this encounter with three in his last five and, like Rowe, has already got goals in the regular season meetings. He is 11/8 to enhance those stats anytime by being on target again.

Mooney’s Orient strike partner Lisbie, meanwhile, has three in two, so represents real value at 13/8 in the anytime market. Do not discount winger Dean Cox from chipping in either. He is an 11/4 price to score and add to a dozen league goals here.

Neither side is fancied for promotion, with the likely winner coming from the other semi-final between Preston North End and Rotherham United, if punters believe the bookies. Orient are 3/1 outsiders to go up, while Posh look tempting at 14/5 for a return to the Championship after climbing into it twice previously via the play-offs.