Leyton Orient v Tottenham Hotspur: Back Jose's side at halfway point for cup profit

 Leyton Orient v Tottenham Hotspur: Back Jose's side at halfway point for cup profit

Alan Dudman takes a trip down memory lane as he previews the Sky TV fixture at Brisbane Road on Tuesday as Tottenham travel to Leyton Orient...

Leyton Orient v Tottenham Hotspur
Tuesday 22nd September 2020, 18:00
Live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event

Orient off to a good start in all competitions

Leyton Orient are looking to reach the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time since 1962/63, and personally, this is the Sky match I've been looking forward to watching.

Brisbane Road holds some wonderful memories as I covered the O's reporting for their Clubcall line for many seasons and had access to the players and managers as well as going to the games. I was there for the playoff win at Brisbane Road against Hull in 2001 and it's a super place under the lights. I was also lucky enough to score at the away end in a 2005 charity match too, playing in midfield alongside Dean Smith (Aston Villa manager) and Martin Ling (now Orient Director of Football). It's fair to say I was the weak link in the three!

So with a hearty chunk of sentiment, I'm ever so pleased the club are back in League Two and hope to be previewing them in for my third tier column next season as they have started 2020/21 in solid fashion with four points from their two games against Oldham and Mansfield.

O's boss Ross Embleton must be satisfied with the season's work thus far, although judging by reaction and interviews, Orient have yet to really hit their straps in terms of performance levels. It's a good sign they are winning games and picking up points without reaching their peak. That's been the case too with a pair of League Cup victories so far against Forest Green and Plymouth (winning 2-1 and 3-2).

Will Mourinho turn to Alli?

Tottenham's start to the season has been as confusing as Franz Kafka's "The Castle". They were completely devoid of attacking output in the 0-1 loss to Everton in the opening round of the Premier League fixtures, but on MT2, they buried Southampton with a 5-2 blitz courtesy of four Son Heung-min goals and one from Harry Kane.

Both Son and Kane are unlikely to feature for this, although the England captain is the big story, as he sponsors the Leyton Orient shirts. He scored a few for Orient as well during his loan spell of 2010/11 with five goals in 18 appearances. However, I remember seeing his then Spurs' teammate Paul-Jose M'Poku play in the 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth in the same season, and he really was a fantastic talent. A superb winger.

There are strong links between the two clubs, and it will be a night to fondly remember former Orient boss and Spurs FA Cup winner Justin Edinburgh.

Jose Mourinho is expected to make wholesale changes, and there's a possibility that Deli Alli - who has not featured in two games since the Everton defeat, could have a chance of appearing on Tuesday evening. Mourinho hasn't been happy with the imbalance of attackers and defence on the bench, but the possible inclusion of the England midfielder will no doubt generate more speculation - especially as he has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The north Londoners are priced up at 11.00 in the Carabao Cup Winner market on the Exchange, and it will be fascinating to see how Mourinho approaches this alongside his Europa League and FA Cup expectations.