Dean Holden will take charge of his first League One game as Charlton Athletic manager on Boxing Day, when they welcome Peterborough United to The Valley.
The Addicks find themselves 18th in the league table after three consecutive defeats, while their visitors have fallen to eighth spot following four losses on the bounce.
Match preview
© Reuters
After finishing 13th last time around and aiming to push for a playoff place this year, Charlton Athletic experienced a particularly disappointing start to the League One season, as consecutive defeats at the hands of Plymouth Argyle and Cheltenham Town left them on just 24 points from 20 matches.
The Addicks then travelled to take on fourth-tier Stockport County in an FA Cup second-round replay and were on the wrong end of an upset as Will Collar hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 home triumph.
Such a result triggered the departure of former manager Ben Garner, but that change did not have an immediate positive impact, with their losing run extended in their last league outing at home to Bristol Rovers under the temporary management of Anthony Hayes.
A second-half brace from John Marquis sealed a 2-1 away win for the Gas after Ryan Inniss's opener for the London outfit, but Charlton may now head into Boxing Day with some renewed optimism following the appointment of Dean Holden, and a penalty shootout victory over Brighton & Hove Albion after a goalless draw in the EFL Cup round of 16 on Wednesday, booking a trip to take on Manchester United in the quarter-finals as a result.
Holden will now look to kick off his tenure with what would be an important victory at the Valley on Boxing Day with the chance to quickly climb away from the bottom end of the table if they manage to end their wait for a three-point haul.
© Reuters
They take on a Peterborough United side who are also fighting to come out of a tough run of form in England's third tier, having now lost their last four league matches.
Aiming for an immediate promotion back to the Championship this term, Grant McCann's side sat in a strong position in the playoff places after consecutive wins over Oxford United, Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United, but the run was broken by a defeat away at Exeter City.
The Posh would then fall to a loss away at Bristol Rovers and drop out of the EFL Trophy and FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea Under-21s and Shrewsbury Town, before returning to league action at home to Barnsley at the beginning of December.
Jon Taylor drew them level in the 20th minute, but Adam Phillips's goal on the hour mark made the difference in a 2-1 away win, and McCann's side would again lose by the same scoreline away at Ipswich Town last weekend, as Conor Chaplin hit goals either side of Frankie Kent's leveller.
Having now dropped to eighth spot as a result of their sharp dip in form, with a three-point gap up to the playoff places, Peterborough will know they must arrest their slide to avoid falling any further and will go in search of an 11th league win of the campaign on Boxing Day.
Team News
© Reuters
Charlton Athletic remain without goalkeeper Joe Wollacott due to injury, meaning Ashley Maynard-Brewer will again play between the sticks after his clean sheet against Brighton in midweek, while attacker Chuks Aneke is also unlikely to feature after his substitute appearance was cut short by an injury concern.
Holden could start with a side very similar to that which was fielded in the EFL Cup after the impressive display, with Scott Fraser again set to join George Dobson in the engine room, while 19-year-old Miles Leaburn should continue to lead the line having hit four league goals so far this term.
Jack Payne and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi will offer crucial attacking support, while we are yet to see whether the new boss will stick with the back five that Anthony Hayes fielded against Brighton, with either Ryan Inniss, Sam Lavelle or Lucas Ness potentially at risk of dropping to the bench to accommodate more options going forward.
Peterborough United's attack will be spearheaded by Jonson Clarke-Harris, who leads the league's scoring charts with 12 goals in England's third tier so far this term.
He could again be joined up front by Jack Marriott, although Ricky-Jade Jones and Ephron Mason-Clark are also pushing to feature from the outset.
In the continued absence of Oliver Norburn, Harrison Burrows and Jeando Fuchs are both vying to come back into the midfield, while Kwame Poku will lend support to the front two.
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Chin, Inniss, Lavelle, Sessegnon; Dobson, Fraser; Payne, Morgan, Rak-Sakyi; Leaburn
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Bergstrom; Kent, Edwards, Watts; Ward, Fuchs, Poku, Taylor, Butler; Clarke-Harris, Marriott
We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Peterborough United
Although both teams are struggling for form and confidence, the change in manager and recent cup win could provide a boost for Charlton and we see them beginning with a home victory under Holden's charge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Sam Varley
