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Charlton Athletic
Championship
Oct 20, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Preston North End logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Gallagher (2', 36'), Johnson (62')

Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Preston North End

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Charlton Athletic and Preston North End.

Charlton Athletic will look to pick up their first win in six games when they take on fellow Championship strugglers Preston North End at The Valley.

Meanwhile, Preston could also end a long winless streak and move out of the bottom three with victory in South London.


Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic boss Guy Luzon on the touchline during the Championship match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 25, 2015© Getty Images

Addicks boss Guy Luzon has claimed that his team competed well with 11 players when they took on Reading at the Madejski Stadium last weekend.

However, the Israeli coach conceded that Patrick Bauer's red card changed the course of the game before Nick Blackman netted the winner for the Royals.

Nevertheless, Charlton have struggled for goals this season, which has left them languishing just above the relegation zone.

The Londoners have, at least, shown some solidity at home, with two wins and two draws in front of their own fans, but the Addicks have failed to register a victory on their travels.

Relegation to League One did not appear to be on the radar in the summer when Charlton finished last season strongly, perhaps with the hope of mounting a serious promotion challenge this term.

Worse still, Luzon's side have forgotten how to win recently, with four defeats in their past six games.

Recent form: DLLLDL
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLDL


Preston North End

Simon Grayson manager of Preston North End looks on prior to the FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth round match between Nottingham Forest and Preston North End at City Ground on January 24, 2014© Getty Images

After his side's goalless draw with Cardiff City, North End boss Simon Grayson claimed that he knew the solution to end their goal drought.

He said that his players needed the belief to "express themselves more" and to take "a little bit more care" in the final third on the pitch.

Certainly, Grayson will hope that his Preston side will heed those words soon, having scored the fewest goals of any team in the division so far.

The lack of goals from Joe Garner, last season's top scorer, has hurt the Lilywhites, while injury to Jermaine Beckford has further dented the early part of their campaign.

North End have at least bolstered their attacking options with the capture of Stevie May and Eoin Doyle, but neither has really discovered their best form yet.

Grayson's men have also claimed only three points from a possible 18, which leaves the Lilywhites firmly in the bottom three.

Recent form: LDLDLD
Recent form (all competitions): DLDDLD


Team News

Charlton could recall keeper Stephen Henderson for the visit of Preston after he recovered from a shoulder injury.

Bauer's red card against Reading means that he is suspended for the game, while Cristian Ceballos, Simon Makienok and Igor Vetokele are all sidelined for the Addicks.

Meanwhile, North End will be without Chris Humphrey (shin) and Paddy McCarthy (knee) for the game at the The Valley.

Doyle could return in attack, but last season's top scorer Garner completes his three-game ban.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Solly, Bauer, Diarra, Bergdich; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Jackson, McAleny, Moussa; Ahearne-Grant

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Woods, Clarke, Wright, Cunningham; Welsh, Gallagher, Johnson, Reach; Doyle, Hugill


Head To Head

North End travel to The Valley hoping to build on a solid recent record in South-East London.

The Lilywhites have lost only one of their last six trips to Charlton, winning three and drawing two in that time.

However, the last time the pair met in a league encounter in the capital, it was Athletic who emerged triumphant as Johnnie Jackson scored twice in a 5-2 home win.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Charlton 1-0 Preston

With both teams struggling for goals since the start of the season, this is unlikely to be a classic. However, home advantage might be enough for the Charlton to edge this encounter.



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Reading players celebrate during the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Middlesbrough at Madejski Stadium on October 3, 2015
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