Two teams competing at the top of the League One table are set to clash on Saturday afternoon as Stockport County host Charlton Athletic at Edgeley Park.
The hosts are fourth in the league table with 61 points from 35 games played, while the visitors are fifth in the standings with 59 points from 34 fixtures.
Match preview
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Stockport County have enjoyed a sensational rise up the English football pyramid in recent seasons, earning promotion from the National League North in 2018-19, the National League in 2021-22 and League Two in 2023-24.
The Hatters are on the hunt for yet another promotion this campaign, currently placed fourth in the League One table with 61 points after 35 games, from 17 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats.
While they have faced challenges at times this season, including a run of just one league win in six games over December and January, David Challinor's side have shown superb resilience to consistently bounce back from adversity.
That has been particularly apparent since that streak, with Stockport ending that run by recording seven wins, two draws and one defeat in the following 10 outings, leaving them in superb form heading into this one.
A victory for Stockport could see them close the gap on second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who are currently six points above the Hatters, though Challinor's men have played once more than a majority of teams around them.
Their opponents, Charlton Athletic, will also certainly prove a formidable opponent, with the visitors coming into this clash just two points behind the hosts, while they have played a game fewer than Stockport.
Charlton are enjoying a wonderful run of results in the build-up to this fixture, recording eight wins, one draw and one defeat from their last 10 league matches, leaving them full of confidence.
A win would see Charlton move above Stockport and into fourth place, while a defeat could see them drop out of the playoff places altogether, with seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers just two points behind the Addicks.
Charlton will be wary of their recent record against Stockport, as the Addicks have failed to win in any of the last three meetings, with two draws and one defeat in that time.
Team News
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The hosts have avoided any fresh injury concerns in recent weeks, and having suffered just one defeat in the last 10 outings, Challinor may name a similar team here.
Nineteen-year-old Benony Breki Andresson has been a breakout sensation in recent matches, scoring three goals in his last two matches from the bench, and the striker may be awarded his first league start of the season here.
As for the visitors, Charlton have won all of their last three heading into this one, meaning Nathan Jones may decide to name an unchanged starting 11 for this one.
Tyreece Campbell is a doubt after coming off injured in the latest victory over Barnsley, meaning Chuks Aneke could come into an attacking lineup alongside Luke Berry, Thierry Small and Matt Godden.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Hills, Connolly, Pye; Knoyle, Moxon, Bate, Camps, Touray; Cosgrove, Andresson
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards; Docherty, Coventry; Small, Berry, Aneke; Godden
We say: Stockport County 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Both teams are in similar veins of form heading into this one, and just two points separating the sides suggests an evenly-matched affair, leading us to expect a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
