2025-26 FA Cup: Second Round – Salford vs Leyton Orient

Salford City meet Leyton Orient in the opening tie of the second round of 2025-26 FA Cup. 

Victory would see Salford reach the third round for the second consecutive season, whilst Leyton Orient likewise are looking to also do the same – having last reached the third round in consecutive seasons in 2012-13 & 13-14 seasons.

 

Team News

Salford have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 7-2 EFL Trophy exit at home to Rotherham in midweek, with a host of regulars set to return for this match.

Dan Chesters, Brandon Cooper and Kyrell Malcolm face fitness checks as they near returns from unspecified injuries.

Ossama Ashley (calf), Jay Bird (Achilles), Michael Rose (leg) and Ben Woodburn (unspecified) remain absent.

Leyton Orient have no fresh injury concerns to report after they lost 1-0 at home to Plymouth in the EFL Trophy.

Rarmani Edmonds-Green (ACL) and Jordan Graham (knee) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Salford host Leyton Orient at Peninsula Stadium on Friday 5 December at 7:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Salford’s first FA Cup meeting against Leyton Orient.
• Leyton Orient have won one of four previous visits to Salford in all competitions (W1, D2, L1).
• Two of Salford’s four previous home games against Leyton Orient finished in 1-1 draws.
• Excluding penalty shootouts, Salford are unbeaten in three of their last five FA Cup matches at home (W2, D1, L2).
• Leyton Orient have won just two of their last five away FA Cup ties(W2, L3), although they did need penalties to beat Boreham Wood in last season’s first round after a 2-2 draw.

 

Prediction

Having rotated heavily for their EFL Trophy exit, it clearly shows how serious Salford are taking this game, but their defence haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five in all competitions so a tighter approach will be needed if want to stifle their League One opposition.

Leyton Orient though did too make several changes in midweek so I do expect them too to be going full strength here, especially after their regulars thrashed Burton Albion last weekend which will give them confidence as this is a potential banana skin.

Both teams though are currently in the grips of massive promotion battles in their respective leagues so defeat here might be a blessing in disguise come end of season, but I do expect a tough battle which could potentially be settled on penalties.

Prediction: Salford 1-1 Leyton Orient (Salford to win on penalties)

Result: Salford 4-0 Leyton Orient