The Game
Argyle v Leyton Orient. Home Park. Tuesday, 8 August. 7.45pm. Carabao Cup first round.
The Opposition
Leyton Orient are playing in Sky Bet League One this season having been promoted as champions of League One in 2022/23. The East Londoners racked up 91 points as they topped the league, sealing a return to the third tier for the first time since 2014/15.
On Saturday, they started their season with a 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic, with George Dobson's goal just before half-time the difference between the two sides.
The Squad
Many of the players who helped Orient to promotion last season have remained with the O's. These include last season's Player of the Year, Idris El Mizouni, who has returned for a second consecutive season, on loan from Ipswich Town. The 22-year-old midfielder is a Tunisia international who played 41 league games last season.
Experienced midfielder Darren Pratley is Orient's club captain. The former Charlton Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Swansea City midfielder is still going strong at 38.
In the summer, Orient have added Joe Pigott (below), a centre forward released by Ipswich, who spent last season with Portsmouth; Dan Agyei, a pacy wiseman formerly of Oxford United and, most recently, Crewe Alexandra; and Ethan Galbraith, a midfielder released by Manchester United having spent loan spells with Doncaster Rovers and Salford City.
The Gaffer
Richie Wellens took over at Orient in March 2022, with the club 18th in the division. Seven wins in the last 11 games hauled them to a mid-table finish, and set up a blistering start to the following season, when they won nine of the first ten games, and went on to win the league.
As a player, Wellens began his career at Manchester United, but broke through at Blackpool, for whom he played over 200 games. He also played for Doncaster Rovers, in two spells, as well Oldham Athletic and Leicester City.
His first managerial job, at Oldham, ended ignominiously after a relegation, but he won promotion from Sky Bet League Two with Swindon Town in a season truncated by Covid in 2019/20. The Robins won the league, with Argyle coming third.
Short spells at Salford City and Doncaster followed, before Wellens headed to Orient.
Fancy a Stat?
This is the fourth time in 10 seasons that Argyle have faced Leyton Orient in this competition.
The History
The first time these two sides met Orient were known as Clapton Orient, in 1929. Argyle won that day, and over the years the Greens have a good record against Orient, winning 29 of the 59 meetings over the years. There have been 11 draws, and Orient have won 19.
In August 2014, when the sides met at Home Park in this competition, it was an epic 3-3 draw after extra-time. Orient, though, prevailed in the penalty shoot-out. Five years later, again in the first round and again at Home Park, Argyle were victorious, winning 2-0 thanks to goals by Callum McFadzean and Dom Telford.
Just one year later, the draw paired the two sides once more, this time at Brisbane Road, and in the second road. Argyle went 2-0 up, but in the end lost 3-2, with Danny Johnson's last-minute goal sealing the Orient comeback.
Tickets
Tickets are on general sale for Blocks 1-15 of the Babcock Devonport End and the Portcullis Legals Lyndhurst Road Stand.
Tickets are just £14 for adults - find out more about tickets here.
The Rules
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Erin Black and Brian McGlinchey, will begin at 6.45pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
Because of competition rules, we are only able to provide audio commentary for the game. Charlie Price and Aaron Cusack will be your commentators. You can buy a pass here.
