Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Charlton Athletic and Stevenage, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two playoff hopefuls will go head-to-head when Charlton Athletic welcome Stevenage to The Valley for Saturday’s League One fixture.
The seventh-placed hosts are sitting outside the playoffs on goal difference, while the visitors are four points behind in 11th position.
Match preview
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Charlton have put together a fine run of results over the last couple of months, having lost just one of their previous 11 league matches (W6, D4).
Their only defeat in that period took place in last month’s clash against Rotherham United, with the Addicks falling to a 4-2 defeat at the New York Stadium.
However, Charlton produced an emphatic response to that disappointment, going on to claim three consecutive victories against Bolton Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town and Bristol Rovers.
Nathan Jones‘s side looked set to make it four wins in a row when they moved into a two-goal lead in last Saturday’s away meeting with Blackpool, only to concede a couple of late goals to leave them with just a point to show for their efforts.
After missing out on a win at Bloomfield Road, the Addicks will be looking forward to returning to the familiar surroundings of The Valley, where they have won four of their previous five home matches.
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Stevenage have moved to within four points of the top six after winning each of their last three league matches.
Alex Revell‘s side recorded away wins over Barnsley and Wrexham, before they eased to a 4-1 victory in last Saturday’s home clash with Exeter City, courtesy of a Jordan Roberts brace as well as goals from Eli King and Dan Kemp.
Unfortunately for Stevenage, they were unable to continue their winning run in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy quarter-final against Birmingham City, falling to a 1-0 defeat following Jay Stansfield‘s late winner.
The Boro will quickly turn their focus to Saturday’s trip to The Valley, with the visitors looking to extend their seven-game unbeaten in all competitions (W4, D3).
Stevenage will have the chance to complete a league double after recording a narrow 1-0 win in September’s reverse fixture.
Charlton Athletic League One form:
Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):
Stevenage League One form:
Stevenage form (all competitions):
Team News
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Charlton remain without the services of defender Tennai Watson, who has been out of action since October due to injury.
Tom McIntyre and Alex Gilbert are set to feature in the matchday squad after arriving on loan from Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic respectively.
Former Stevenage forward Matty Godden will be looking to score in a third consecutive game after finding the net against Bristol Rovers and Blackpool.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the defensive duo of Kane Smith and Luther Wildin due to their respective injury issues.
Brandon Hanlan is expected to be involved in some capacity, having joined on loan from Wycombe Wanderers until the end of the season.
Kyle Edwards could also make the matchday squad after signing on a free transfer after leaving Oxford United last month.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Docherty; Small, Berry, Campbell; Godden
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Freeman, Sweeney, Piergianni, Freestone; L. Thompson, White; Roberts, Kemp, Reid; Appere
We say: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Stevenage
Charlton have dropped just two points in their last five home games, but they are set to face a Stevenage side that have avoided defeat in each of their last seven competitive away games, and we think that the visitors will do enough to take a point from Saturday’s trip to The Valley.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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