Fresh from booking their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, Fleetwood Town return to League One action with a trip to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing the playoff places by 10 points, Charlton find themselves eight points clear of Fleetwood in the League One table, with the Fishermen sitting just two points outside the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Following a five-game winless run in the league, Charlton parted company with manager Ben Garner in early December, appointing former Bristol City boss Dean Holden as his successor.
The Addicks have enjoyed a marked upturn in form since Holden's arrival, winning four of their seven League One matches, while they have only suffered one defeat in five league outings since the turn of the year.
After kicking off 2023 with a three-game winning streak – securing league victories over Portsmouth, Lincoln City and Barnsley – Charlton suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers before bouncing straight back with a win against Exeter City last time out.
Holden's men raced into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes against the Grecians, courtesy of goals from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Corey Blackett-Taylor, and they managed to hold on to claim all three points, despite conceding midway through the first half.
Having won two of their previous three home games, Charlton will be confident of overcoming Fleetwood Town, who have struggled for consistency on their travels this season.
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Indeed, Fleetwood have only won four of their 14 away league matches this term, recording six draws and four losses in the process, while only seven clubs have picked up fewer League One victories on their travels in 2022-23.
When you look at the bigger picture, the Fishermen have managed to win just six of their 28 league outings this season, registering 11 draws and 11 defeats along the way.
Given that Fleetwood have lost each of their last four league games – and six of their previous seven – it is somewhat surprising that Scott Brown's men have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, joining the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16.
Although Fleetwood have yet to face Premier League opposition in this season's competition, they knocked out Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the third round before dispatching League One leaders Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
Naturally, Brown will be desperate for his players to carry their cup form into the league, as the Cod Army find themselves dangerously close to the drop zone.
Team News
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With first-choice goalkeeper Joe Wollacott sidelined due to a fractured finger, Ashley Maynard-Brewer will continue to deputise between the sticks for Charlton.
The Addicks are also without Mandela Egbo at the moment, while Coventry City loanee Todd Kane is a doubt for Saturday after missing the last two games.
Steven Sessegnon has not featured for Charlton since last month's EFL Cup defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, meaning that Sean Clare is likely to keep his place at right-back.
Meanwhile, Fleetwood are still without long-term absentee Darnell Johnson as the centre-back continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
Goalkeeper Jay Lynch and midfielder Josh Vela have started every League One game for the Fishermen this season, while left-back Danny Andrew has featured in 26 of their 28 league clashes.
Jayden Stockley could line up against his former club this weekend, having scored three goals in 25 League One appearances for Charlton before moving to Fleetwood in January.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Inniss, Ness, Penney; Kilkenny, Dobson, Fraser; Rak-Sakyi, Bonne, Blackett-Taylor
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Johnston, Nsiala, Ndaba, Andrew; Vela, Sarpong-Wiredu, Robertson; Marriott, Stockley, Macadam
We say: Charlton Athletic 3-1 Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood will be brimming with belief after reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup, but Charlton are also full of confidence at the moment, having turned their campaign around under Holden.
While the Addicks have won four of their last five league games, the Fishermen have lost six of their previous seven, so we expect the hosts to claim all three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
