Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Cambridge United - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlton Athletic play host to Cambridge United on Boxing Day looking for the win that will keep the Addicks in close proximity to the playoff places.

At a time when the home side sit in 10th position in the League One table, Cambridge head to The Valley four points adrift of safety.

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Match preview

Given the quality of teams in this division, Charlton were always facing a tough ask to challenge for the automatic promotion places this season, even with Nathan Jones in charge.

Nevertheless, prevailing in just three of their last 14 league fixtures has left Jones under pressure to instigate an upturn in fortunes at the Londoners.

Across the last three games, it has been so far so good with back-to-back goalless draws with Lincoln City and Mansfield Town being followed by the 5-0 demolition of Northampton Town.

Now only four points behind the playoffs, Charlton have the opportunity to kick on, yet Jones will be conscious of the fact that no league win has been posted at The Valley since October 5.

While that is just a run of four contests, there will be an acknowledgement they need to be winning fixtures such as this one to keep on track.

As far as Cambridge are concerned, their brief burst of victories during the back of October are long forgotten after another run of poor form.

Garry Monk's side have since recorded just one win in eight games - a 4-1 scoreline at home to bottom-side Shrewsbury Town.

While it should be noted that they earned a 2-2 draw away at Wrexham as recently as December 14, that was followed by a 4-0 reverse at home to Huddersfield Town.

Still four points adrift of safety, Monk knows that his side need to build some momentum away from home when they have claimed just five points from their 10 fixtures.

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Team News

Having ran riot at Northampton, Jones will almost certainly only make changes to his Charlton side if needing to make an enforced alteration.

Although Danny Hylton scored as a substitute during the closing minutes, the veteran will remain among the replacements here.

Miles Leaburn scored his first league goal of the season in the previous game and will expect to remain alongside Tyreece Campbell in attack.

As for Cambridge, James Gibbons, Paul Digby and Mamadou Jobe all remain on the sidelines for this fixture.

Liam Bennett is likely to retain his spot on the right flank despite being substituted at half time in the last two matches.

Despite the manner of the last defeat, Monk may not necessarily tinker with his starting lineup with Elias Kachunga and Shayne Lavery in line to keep their places in the final third.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup: Maynard-Brewer; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Berry, Coventry, Docherty, Edwards; Leaburn, Campbell

Cambridge United possible starting lineup: Reyes; Okedina, Morrison, Watts; Bennett, Cousins, Brophy, Andrew; Kachunga, Nlundulu, Lavery

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We say: Charlton Athletic 3-1 Cambridge United

Having suffered two heavy defeats of late, we have to anticipate that Cambridge are not high on belief right now. With that in mind, we are backing Charlton to come through with a comfortable win, one that would keep them interested in the top six.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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