Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlton Athletic head into Wednesday's League One fixture at Crewe Alexandra looking for the victory which will move the club closer towards the mid-table positions.

However, Crewe, who currently occupy 23rd spot in the standings, can move to within eight points of their opponents with a win at the Mornflake Stadium.

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Match preview

On paper, Charlton only going down by a 1-0 scoreline to Premier League side Norwich City will be regarded as a credible result, but Johnnie Jackson was visibly disappointed after the full-time whistle.

The Addicks had more than matched their more illustrious opponents, wasting at least two golden opportunities to inflict further misery on the Canaries, but they ultimately went down to a late goal.

When he has had time to reflect on the game, Jackson will undoubtedly take the positives, but his biggest task ahead of this game may be trying to lift his players after running Norwich so close.

They have now lost three of their last four matches by a solitary goal, their only victory during that period coming by the same scoreline in the EFL Trophy.

While there is still an over-riding feeling of positivity at The Valley under Jackson, he is aware that his team need to get back to winning ways in the third tier to remain with an outside chance of the playoffs.

The top six will not be on their mind if they succumb to Crewe on Wednesday night with their hosts on a relative high having moved to within seven points of safety.

Although they went 4-1 at Burton Albion in their last league game, David Artell's side have recently claimed important victories over Lincoln City and Morecambe respectively.

Those results remain fresh in the memory, while they have also collected seven points from a possible 12 at the Mornflake Stadium.

During the opening month of the season, Charlton ran out 2-0 victors in the corresponding fixture thanks to goals from Diallang Jaiyesimi and Jayden Stockley.

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Team News

Despite his much-changed Crewe side given a good account of themselves against Rotherham United on January 4, Artell will likely name a similar team to the one which went down at Burton.

Scott Robertson could be recalled in midfield, potentially as a replacement for Oliver Finney, but Kanye Ramsey should retain his spot at right-back after his recent return from injury.

While Stockley is again likely to be absent for Charlton, Jackson hopes that Conor Washington is ready to return after a hamstring niggle.

The Northern Ireland international could return to partner Josh Davison in attack, with Jonathan Leko potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Chris Gunter and Corey Blackett-Taylor are both alternatives in defence and attack respectively if Jackson wishes to introduce fresh legs.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Richards; Offord, Sass-Davies, Williams; Ramsey, Lowery, Murphy, Robertson, Ainley; Porter, Mandron

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Henderson; Clare, Pearce, Inniss; Jaiyesimi, Dobson, Gilbey, Purrington; Lee; Washington, Davison

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We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Charlton Athletic

Despite their form in the league, Charlton showed against Norwich at the weekend that they should have more than enough quality to avoid any kind of a relegation battle. With that in mind, we are backing the Addicks to claim a hard-fought victory on Wednesday night.