MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 17:03:12| >> :600:278213:278213:
[monks data]
Charlton Athletic
Championship
Apr 5, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Reading logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Williams (73')

Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Reading

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship meeting between relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic and playoff-chasing Reading.

Two teams in need of a win for very different reasons go head to head on Saturday as Charlton Athletic host Reading at The Valley.

The hosts have given their chances of survival a big boost with three wins in their last five games, leaving them three points clear of the drop with games in hand over the teams below them.

However, despite their improvement under new boss Jose Riga, they will still be looking cautiously over their shoulders, particularly with Barnsley beginning to find a bit of form.

The Addicks are currently three points clear of Barnsley but only have one game in hand over the Tykes compared to two games in hand over the rest of the teams around them.

A win on Saturday would be priceless for the club, particularly if those below them fail to pick up three points, but goals have been hard to come by all season for the Addicks. They are the league's lowest scorers with a measly 27 from their 37 games, while they have not scored more than one goal in a game since Boxing Day.

A third 1-0 win in his fifth home game in charge would suit Riga just fine, however. Only Burnley have beaten or scored against Charlton at The Valley during his short tenure so far, with defensive solidity at home a notable improvement under the Belgian boss.

He has no new injury concerns to worry about for the weekend, with Jonathan Obika expected to lead the line and midweek match winner Reza Ghoochannejhad on the wing.

Reading, meanwhile, remain the envy of a number of clubs as they occupy the final playoff position despite back-to-back slip-ups against Barnsley and Huddersfield Town.

The Royals were let off by the stuttering form of their fellow playoff contenders, but Nigel Adkins will be fully aware that they can't afford to drop too many more points in the final seven games of the season.

Consistency has been a problem for Reading in recent weeks having not won consecutive matches since January/February, yet they remain two points clear of Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town immediately below them.

Unusually, Reading have been better on their travels this season than they have at home, picking up 31 points on the road compared to 29 at the Madejski. That tally has been helped largely by four wins and one draw from their last five and just one defeat in their last seven.

Adkins could bring Adam Le Fondre back into the starting lineup, while Danny Guthrie is also available again following suspension. Jem Karacan, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Bridge and Sean Morrison are still absent through injury, although the latter two are nearing returns.

Recent form

Charlton: DWLWLW

Reading: DWDWLD

Possible starting lineups

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Ajdarevic, Jackson, Poyet, Cousins, Ghoochanneijhad; Obika

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Obita; McCleary, Guthrie, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu; Pogrebynak, Le Fondre

Sports Mole says: 1-1


ID:147923: cacheID:147923:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5574:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Oscar Garcia of Brighton looks on during the FA Cup fifth round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Hull City at Amex Stadium on February 17, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Brighton vs. Reading
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe18124239211840
2Wrexham19124328111740
3Birmingham CityBirmingham17123232161639
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield18112528161235
5Stockport CountyStockport1996431191233
6Reading189453025531
7Bolton WanderersBolton179352827130
8Barnsley197662725227
9Lincoln CityLincoln197662423127
10Mansfield TownMansfield177372222024
11Exeter CityExeter187381619-324
12Charlton AthleticCharlton186571819-123
13Blackpool186572631-523
14Stevenage176471316-322
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough186393332121
16Leyton Orient186391920-121
17Northampton TownNorthampton195682126-521
18Bristol Rovers186391726-921
19Wigan AthleticWigan185581516-120
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham175571620-420
21Crawley TownCrawley185491728-1119
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1844101829-1116
23Burton Albion1825111630-1411
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1832131835-1711


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!