Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Northampton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Fifth-placed Charlton Athletic could secure their place in League One's promotion playoff spots should they beat Northampton Town at home on Friday at the Valley.

The home side's tally of 76 points is 10 more than seventh-placed Leyton Orient with just four matchweeks remaining, whereas their opponents are sixth last in 19th place with 47 points and are only five points and two places from the relegation spots after drawing 0-0 with Reading.

Match preview

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Charlton emerged as 1-0 victors against Cambridge United on Saturday, though they failed to create many chances in front of goal given they generated just 0.64 xG.

However, their poor offensive display was not reflective of their form in the final third considering they scored eight goals in their prior three matches.

Manager Nathan Jones oversaw a 5-0 victory against Northampton in the reverse fixture on December 21, and his side should be credited for restricting their opponents to just one open-play shot from inside the box.

The Addicks' form has been excellent, with the club emerging triumphant in eight of their last 12, drawing two and losing one in that period.

Charlton have also been close to flawless at home since the middle of December given they are undefeated in their past 13 at the Valley, winning on 10 occasions while keeping eight clean sheets.

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Meanwhile, Northampton prevented Reading from creating many opportunities until they were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute, but perhaps the likes of Dara Costelloe and Tyler Roberts should have done better to convert their two big chances.

The stalemate was boss Kevin Nolan's second consecutive clean sheet, but his side have failed to find the back of the net in three of their past five games.

Nolan's team will likely have to lose at least two of their final four matches in order to be dragged into the relegation zone given their goal difference of minus 17 is considerably better than 21st-placed Bristol Rovers' goal difference of minus 26.

The Cobblers are unbeaten in two fixtures – winning one – and they have only lost two of their last nine, though they won just twice in that time.

Northampton's record on the road has been positive considering they triumphed in three and drew two of their five most recent games away from home.

Team News

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Charlton could name Tom McIntyre and Macaulay Gillesphey in central defence between full-backs Kayne Ramsey and Josh Edwards.

Conor Coventry and Greg Docherty started in midfield against Cambridge, and they can be expected to play together on Friday.

With winger Tyreece Campbell having been forced off due to injury last time out, expect Thierry Small, Luke Berry and Chuks Aneke to be fielded behind striker Matt Godden.

Opponents Northampton could replace centre-back Nesta Guinness-Walker, who was sent off against Reading, with Max Dyche.

Midfielder Ben Perry was taken off as a result of injury in the same match, so perhaps William Hondermarck will join Terry Taylor in the middle of the pitch.

Tariqe Fosu-Henry could come into the forward line in place of Sam Hoskins given he was brought on for the latter in his side's most recent match.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup: Mannion; Ramsay, McIntyre, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Docherty; Small, Berry, Aneke; Godden

Northampton Town possible starting lineup: Burge; Eyoma, Mbete, Dyche; McGowan, Hondermarck, Taylor, Pinnock; Fosu-Henry, McGeehan, Costelloe

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-0 Northampton Town

Charlton have been excellent at the Valley, and they should be seen as clear favourites to claim all three points.

Northampton have also found goals difficult to come by, and their poor return up front could cost them against the hosts' strong backline.

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