The Introduction
No sooner were the bones found in a Leicester car park confirmed as those of Richard III than Charlton's season turned into a winter of discontent. Three straight wins in January, which promised a glorious summer, lead onto four games with only one point to show from them. It would be enough to give anyone the hump.
The Opposition
Rested after a FA Cup induced blank weekend the Foxes will look to close the gap on the two other Cities, Hull and Cardiff, who occupy the automatic promotion spots as well as the usurpers of Watford and Palace who jumped above them on Saturday.
Other than a surprising defeat at struggling Peterborough last time out in the league, Leicester have been strong in the Championship in recent weeks, handing out 4 - 0 and 6 - 1 thrashings to Bristol City and Huddersfield.
Alongside one cap wonder David Nugent, City can call on former Millwall loanee Chris Wood. Wood's goal record has been impressive but he failed to score against what at the time was a resolute Charlton defence at the Den.
But it is City's pace and skill, as shown by the likes of King and Knockaert, that win them games more often than not.
Martyn Waghorn and Paul Konchesky make up the former Addicks contingent.
The Line Up
For Charlton, Yann Kermorgant will be keen to remind the Foxes fans of his worth, just as he did when scoring in the Addicks 2 - 1 win at the Valley back in August. In the very unlikely case that we win a penalty will Yann grab the ball? Michael Morrison should get a better reception for his part in Leicester's promotion as few years ago.
Chris Powell is another former Leicester player and can expect the warm welcome he seems to get at all his old Clubs. Only at his true home in SE7 do there seem to be any doubters.
What team or formation Powell selects is anyone's guess. Moving Wilson to central midfield did not seem to work on Saturday and even those blind for so long to Wagstaff's many and obvious talents were perplexed at his omission against Hull.
At Preview Towers we expect Son of Curbs to revert to the 4 - 5 -1 that served well enough when we were winning with Waggy back and Kermo left to lead the line on his own. The faster Haynes may get the nod over the more defensive Wilson to counter the pacey Leicester full backs.
Hamer will retain his place despite his costly error but Rhoys Wiggins may make his first start for many a moon.
Hamer
Solly Morrison Cort Wiggins
Haynes, Stephens, Pritchard, Jackson, Wagstaff
Kermongant
The Prediction
Chris Powell will be left calling "Three points, three points, a packet of Tesco burgers for three points" as the Addicks go down again by the odd goal in three. 2 - 1 Leicester.
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Comments
I would expect either or both Haynes and Wagstaff to come in for Fuller and Wilson and wouldn't be too surprised to see Dervite back in the centre of midfield either. No matter how much I'd like to see Wiggins back I think Evina will get another run out.
2-0 defeat for me and our entirely preventable and self-inflicted sticky patch that started when we let Reda Johnson have a free header with 3 centre halves on the pitch continues...
26-0.
Leicester City 2 v CAFC 2
Stephens to be dropped, he's awful
Got to be a wind up, from my season ticket view, our best player this season apart from Chris Solly. IMO!
Henry V11 would have been a Charlton lad back in the day. Wife and kids in Eltham & had a fight with some revolting peasants in Deptford.
Richard 111's Leicester boys versus Henry V11's Charlton. Repeat of 1485, Charlton win.
The rest of you are peasants : - )