It is all a far cry from the relegation battle they faced last season.
Ling said: "It's what we want - a full house at our place against a team that are top.
"I would rather that than when we took over 13 months ago, and we went to Carlisle when they were bottom and we were second bottom.
"That's real pressure, what we are facing now against Scunthorpe is pressure - but good pressure."
Left-back Matt Lockwood, a veteran of the '99 play-off final that finished in Scunthorpe's final, is also excited by the game.
He said: "It's on of those games everyone wants to be involved in. We haven't been involved in anything like this at Orient for the last three years.
"I imagine it's going to be a full house. Everyone knows if we win we go top, so fingers crossed we can get the result."
Captain Gary Alexander will be missing for the home side, as he continues his reovery from ankle surgery.
David Hunt will be suspended, while the game comes just too soon for John Mackie who is on the mend following a long-term knee problem.