April seems to be the Addicks’ lucky month in recent times.
Last season we didn’t lose at all during April and the season before that in the same month, we were crowned Champions during that awesome 2011/12 League One campaign.
Moreover, this weekend sees the one year anniversary of Charlton’s 6-0 away thrashing over Barnsley. A similar score this weekend would be the greatest shock since the Addicks managed to score more than one goal in a game, which funnily enough happened last Tuesday night!
In all seriousness, the 3-2 victory against Yeovil will no doubt add some much needed morale and confidence ahead of the trip to 7th place Brighton.
Additionally, Brighton will also be heading into the game on a high after defeating already-promoted, Leicester 4-1 at the King Power stadium in midweek which coincidentally, was their first victory in six matches.
The OppositionOscar Garcia’s Brighton side have just started to gain some momentum towards a possible Play-Off spot despite some disappointing results in March.
Tuesday night’s thrashing against Leicester will certainly give Albion fans hope that a few more performances like that could result in the chance of competing for Premier League football next year through the play-offs.
Brighton’s squad is also blessed with some brilliant talent with the likes of Leonardo Ulloa, Jesse Lingard and Kazenga Lua-Lua all capable of causing problems for the Addicks this weekend.
Player to WatchThe player to watch this weekend is without a shadow of doubt, Dale Stephens. Saturday will be the first time Dale has faced Charlton since his departure in January and after an outstanding performance on Tuesday night against Leicester, he could play a really key part for Brighton this weekend.
It's likely he'll be up against Diego Poyet in midfield and that will no doubt will a very intriguing battle indeed.
The Line –Up I’d expect to see a similar side to the Yeovil victory after a good performance in an important match.
One change that may occur is Richard Wood dropped with Michael Morrison returning to centre back and (if available) Lawrie Wilson at right-back.
The midfield trio of Jackson, Poyet and Cousins should remain while Ajdarevic and Reza are likely to be able to roam once again behind the striker.
That striker is likely to be Marvin Sordell after an impressive display and a goal in midweek.
The likes of Jonathan Obika, Davide Petrucci, Callum Harriott and Simon Church will also be competing to get a starting spot on Saturday.
The PredictionRepeat of last year’s performance and result at the AMEX.
0-0 draw.
Comments
as for us I reckon another 3-0 defeat, we don't do well against good teams
Scum beat Watford we're in the bottom 3 and Barnsley and Yeovil pick up results and Barnsley becomes a more squeaky bum game than anticipated
Midfield 3 stay the same as we have no one else Riga rates.
We try to save energy and nick a draw but Brighton eventually break through and then finish us off with a goal from Stephens.
2-0 to the Seagulls
My Team
Hamer
Morrison
Dervite
Cort
Nego
Poyet
Cousins
Wiggins
Astrit
Jackson
Reza
Can't see us getting anything, a point would be superb as it would keep us out of the bottom 3 with our two games in hand still ( and maybe draw us level with Blackpool if Leeds remember how to win!)
After the exhilaration of Tuesday night it is sobering to remember that we aren't actually very good.
If we have two strikers we are too weak in the middle and get thumped and we can't seem to score with just one.
Riga doesn't do bus parking, so 0-2 I'm afraid against a much much better team.
Bring on Tuesday.
Accept the inevitable 3-0 weekend result but a good rest for the same team against yeovil to start against barnsley.
Convince petrucci hes world class and giving the ball away agaisnt reading was a blip...goes toe to toe with stephens and comes out on top (3-0 charlton)
Obika against his former club, Stephens against his former club, both to score?
Come on Charlton surprise me.
Barnsley have taken 4 points off Brighton this season, including a win at the AMEX, we beat them 3-2 at The Valley there's no reason why we can't get something out of the game (apart from the fact that it's not being played on Tuesday!)
If so this is a very dangerous game to play. We need to be going into all the remaining games thinking that we can pick up points regardless of the team we are facing. As we know the Championship is a funny old league and everyone can beat each other on their day so we need to be playing our strongest possible line up in all the remaining fixtures. Lets get some consistancy if we can.
If we put put out the same team as Tuesday then I don't see why we could at least pick up a point at Brighton (with hopefully Wilson back in at RB and Morrison moving back to centre half). If a weakened team is put out including the likes of Church, Green and Pritchard then that to me says we are waving the white flag before we start.
Can't predict result as really don't know how Riga is going to play this?
Tuesday is our priority.