Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit warns Charlton Athletic of Leyton Orient player having "season of a lifetime" | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit picks out Orient's one to watch

On Sunday, under the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium, a place in the Championship will be decided in an all-London League One play-off final between Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient.

It is a meeting rich in narrative: two clubs with proud histories, fervent support, and contrasting paths to this decisive stage.

Charlton arrive with momentum, having edged past Wycombe Wanderers in a tense and tightly contested semi-final.

After a goalless first leg in Buckinghamshire, the return fixture at The Valley offered little to separate the sides - until Matty Godden pounced with ten minutes to play, scoring his 19th of the season and sending the Addicks into raptures.

Orient’s journey was even more dramatic. Entering the play-offs as the sixth seed, the O’s dispatched league leaders Stockport County in a nail-biting two-legged encounter. Charlie Kelman, the division’s Golden Boot winner, proved instrumental - scoring in both legs, including a crucial penalty in the dying moments of the first tie.

With no margin for error, Orient triumphed in a penalty shootout in Greater Manchester, showcasing the resilience and belief that has defined their late-season surge.

Don Goodman names the Leyton Orient star Charlton must stop at Wembley

As these two sides prepare to clash at the national stadium, individual matchups and moments of quality will be decisive.

Ahead of the final, Football League World spoke exclusively with Sky Sports pundit and former striker Don Goodman which Orient player Charlton will need to be most concerned about on Sunday.

“Well I think there's an obvious answer to that question, which Leyton Orient player would Charlton need to be most wary of, and it's obviously Charlie Kelman.” Goodman told FLW.

“I remember him having a breakthrough season at Southend in about 2018 and got his move to Queens Park Rangers, never really got much of a look in at Queens Park Rangers so he's had to go on loan to gain experience.

“But 37 League One games started and 21 goals with five assists is just the season of a lifetime isn't it?

“And I should imagine that his confidence couldn't be any higher, and he will be looking very much forward to gracing Wembley's turf.”

London derby at Wembley: What’s at stake in the League One play-off

As anticipation builds for Sunday’s showdown under the Wembley arch, all eyes will be on the key battles that could define this London derby.

In Charlie Kelman, Leyton Orient possess not only League One’s most prolific striker, but a player whose self-belief and decisive edge have carried his side through their most crucial moments. His ability to find space, stretch defences, and deliver under pressure makes him a clear and present danger to Charlton’s promotion hopes.

Yet the Addicks, with experience in high-stakes fixtures and a core of battle-hardened performers, have momentum of their own and the commanding atmosphere that follows them from The Valley to Wembley all point to a side that has rediscovered its identity at just the right moment.