Expect Walsall to line up in their usual 4-4-2, with Ward in goal and a back four of Ahui, Skura, Connolly, and Hancock. The midfield pair of Moore and Sprangler will sit deep, trying to screen the defence, while Simper and Clarke hug the touchlines to feed Dallas and Pressley up top. It is a classic lower-league setup — compact, direct, and reliant on set-pieces and second balls. They will look to make this a scrap, to drag Orient into a physical battle where the pitch becomes the great equaliser.

Leyton Orient, though, will not play that game. Their predicted 4-3-3, with Phillips in goal, is built to dominate possession and stretch the pitch. The midfield trio will look to control the tempo, with the wide forwards cutting inside to create overloads in the half-spaces. This is a side that trusts its technical ability, and they will back themselves to pick apart a low block with quick passing and movement. The key battle will be in the middle of the park: if Orient's midfield can bypass Walsall's first line of pressure, they will create chances at will. If Walsall can disrupt that rhythm, they have a puncher's chance.