Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlton Athletic's search for their first victory since the end of November will continue on Friday evening when they make the trip to the Memorial Stadium to take on Bristol Rovers.

The visitors are currently 12th in the League One table, boasting 29 points from their opening 22 matches, while Bristol Rovers are 10th, collecting 31 points from their first 22 games of the campaign.

Match preview

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Bristol Rovers finished 17th in League One last season on their return to the third tier, but they have performed above expectations so far in 2023-24, currently sitting in 10th position in the table.

Matt Taylor's side have won eight, drawn seven and lost seven of their 22 league games this season to collect 31 points, which has left them 12 points off the playoff positions.

Bristol Rovers will enter this match in strong form, winning three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 success over Portsmouth on Boxing Day.

The two teams appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw in Gloucestershire, with Patrick Lane cancelling out an opener from Anthony Evans, but Luke Thomas came up with a winner in the 94th minute.

The Pirates have won each of their last three matches against Charlton, including a 2-1 success in the reverse match earlier this season, while they were 1-0 winners in the corresponding clash last term.

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Charlton have finished seventh, 13th and 10th in League One since being relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Addicks are currently in 12th position, boasting a record of seven wins, eight draws and seven defeats from their 22 matches, which has seen them collect 29 points.

Michael Appleton's side are 14 points off the playoff positions, so it is going to take a monumental effort for them to pull themselves into possible promotion contention this season.

Charlton have not been victorious since overcoming Cheltenham Town at the end of November, failing to win in their last six matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

Appleton's have drawn three of their last four matches, while they have struggled on their travels this season, only winning one of their 10 games, picking up only eight points in the process.

Team News

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Bristol Rovers head coach Taylor could name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Portsmouth on Boxing Day providing that there are no late setbacks.

Evans has been in excellent form this season, scoring eight times from midfield, and the 25-year-old is again certain to feature in the starting side here.

John Marquis has come up with six goals this term, meanwhile, and the experienced forward is set to continue as the centre-forward despite pressure from Chris Martin.

As for Charlton, head coach Appleton is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the one-goal loss to Orient last time out.

Alfie May has been in excellent form for the Addicks this season, finding the back of the net on 19 occasions, while Corey Blackett-Taylor has eight goals and will continue out wide.

Miles Leaburn, who has seven goals this term, will again be absent through injury, while Terry Taylor and Panutche Camara are also unavailable for selection due to fitness problems.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Thomas, Wilson, Taylor, Crama, Vale; Evans, Finley, Ward, Collins; Marquis

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Maynard-Brewer; Watson, Hector, Jones, Edun; Fraser, Dobson, Campbell; Kanu, May, Blackett-Taylor

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Bristol Rovers have lost just once at home in the league this season, but they have drawn five times, while Charlton have also recorded five draws away from home this term. We are finding it difficult to back either side with any real confidence and have therefore settled on a low-scoring draw.

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