Two teams vying for a place in the League One playoff positions are set to come together on Saturday when Charlton Athletic host Reading at The Valley.
The hosts are 11th in the standings with 33 points from their first 22 matches, while the visitors are fifth in the table with 40 points from their opening 23 fixtures.
Match preview
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Charlton Athletic endured a challenging 2023-24 season, falling from a 10th-placed finish in 2022-23 to placing 16th in 2023-24 with 53 points, nine above relegation and 32 behind the playoff positions.
However, they have enjoyed a strong first half to the 2024-25 campaign, heading into this game sitting 11th in the table with 33 points from 22 matches, leaving them six points behind the playoff places with at least a game in hand on a majority of those above them.
Nathan Jones, in charge since February 2024, will be hoping his side's recent fantastic form can continue in this one, with his men having won all of their last three matches with an aggregate score of 9-2.
They have struggled against Reading in recent meetings, having suffered defeats to their opponents in all of the last three meetings, while they have managed just two wins in their last five meetings at home.
Reading are also enjoying a strong season and run of form heading into this game, currently sitting fifth in the table with 40 points from 23 fixtures and having won all of their last three.
That is a marked improvement on the challenging past few seasons that Reading have endured, having been relegated from the Championship in 2022-23 and placing 17th in League One in 2023-24.
Reading did suffer the loss of their manager Ruben Selles to Hull City at the beginning of December, and after failing to win his first three league matches in charge, Noel Hunt has now won all of his last three.
The next task on Hunt's list will be to improve Reading's rather miserable run of results on the road this season, having won just 13 points from their 12 league matches.
Team News
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After winning their last three matches, Jones may opt for a largely unchanged lineup as he looks for another victory to push the team closer to the playoff spots.
Miles Leaburn did come off injured in the 81st minute of their victory against Wycombe Wanderers last time out, but the striker, who scored both goals in that game, is expected to start here.
As for Reading, Mamadi Camara came off injured in Reading's 3-1 victory against Cambridge United last time out, but the remainder of the side that won that game could remain unchanged.
Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs have been Reading's standout performers in front of goal this season, including netting all three goals in their last match, and both are expected to start here.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Brewer; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Docherty; Small, Berry, Campbell; Leaburn
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Holzman, Dean, Bindon, Garcia; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Smith, Camara
We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Reading
Both teams are on positive runs, having won their last three matches, but with the visitors struggling away from home this season, we believe the hosts will come out on top here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
