Charlton Athletic vs ReadingSaturday 4th January 2025 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Scott OldhamIntroductionThe production of this particular Match Preview was touch and go, there was the risk that I'd step outside at some stage and get into some ghastly accident, so initially thought it would be best to hold off - That was until the powers at CharltonLife Towers told me that I had 20-minutes to get it written... "Or Else" - We have to hope that no bad luck befalls the Valley this coming Saturday... there is the risk of snow forecast, so we might yet have a second game called off, what with the visit to Crawley postponed at the last minute on Wednesday.
The OppositionName: Reading (17th) - Manager: Noel HuntGround: Madejski StadiumPrevious League Result: Reading 3-1 CambridgePossibly visiting the Valley this coming weekend are high flying Reading... thats the place... Not me suggesting you start reading more
Naturally its been a tough couple of seasons for the Royals, especially since their relegation from the Championship, with current owner: Dai Yongge refusing to (putting it in simple terms)... go away - With that in mind, and endless embargos, you'd expect Reading to be struggling, however they continue to ignore the script that has currently been supposedly written for them... They finished in 17th last season, not bad when you take into account they were deducted six points over three stages of the season.
This campaign and they've impressed even more, with the Royals currently battling for the Play-Offs - That means its another cruical clash at the Valley this coming Saturday, with both sides looking to finish in the top six come the end of the season. Reading however have had to deal with the loss of Ruben Selles, who departed for Hull City in December... He was replaced by ex-Reading Striker; Noel Hunt, has continued the good work left by his predecessor, and in his first role as Manager has picked up three wins in the last three games, equalling our own form.
Reading visit the Valley this weekend, having lost 4-0 at the Valley last season... A repeat of that result wouldnt go amiss.
Charlton Team NewsThe one big positive to come from the postponed clash with Crawley on Wednesday, was the fact that it gave our players a chance to recover from what is a grueling stage of the season, with four games played over the space of a week and a half... As it was, Charlton got away with just playing three games (compared to the majority of the Division), meaning that we should come into this weekends fixture slightly fresher compared to our opponents who defeated Cambridge 3-1 at the Madesjki Stadium.
Given the lateness of the postponed game on Wednesday, we did get to witness what the team sheet would have been, and with no changes on that occasion, you'd expect more of the same again this coming Saturday - Both Alex Mitchell, and Miles Leaburn required physio treatment in our last match, an impressive 2-1 win over Wycombe, so the extra time off should be to their benefit as Nathan Jones goes looking for his first win over Reading, since becoming Charlton Manager, his last two outings against the Royals have seen us losing 2-0 on each occasion.
Maynard-Brewer
A.Mitchell - Jones - Gillesphey
Small - Coventry - Docherty - Edwards
Berry
T.Campbell - Leaburn
Substitutes Bench: Mannion - Edmonds-Green - A.Campbell - Anderson - Ahadme - Godden - Hylton
Comments
- Charlton Athletic have lost five of their last seven league games against Reading (W2), with just one of those matches witnessing both sides score.
- Reading have won each of their last two league games against Charlton Athletic and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time in this fixture’s history.
- Charlton have lost just two of their last 18 home league games (W7 D9), winning each of their last two via a 2-1 scoreline. The Addicks haven’t won three in succession at the Valley since October 2023.
- Reading have lost each of their last three away league games against sides from London, last enduring a longer run of four such consecutive defeats between December 2007 and August 2008 which ended with a 4-2 loss to Charlton.
https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/03/sky-bet-league-one--pre-match-stat-pack/Just glad to be attending the game - result doesn't seem so important. The Valley seems a different place without her.
Thinking of all those remembering the loss of a loved one tomorrow.
But at least it gives us a chance of not having to rest players and keeping an unchanged side.
I have a family get together tomorrow that has been planned for months and I'm not going as I will be at the valley instead.
My Mrs and my brother both think I'm being selfish and n o doubt when I don't turn up I'll piss off plenty more relatives.
So Charlton better win to make it all worthwhile
I wonder whether a win would also help convince the odd player we might be chasing this window that we are still very much in the race/or convince a club to loan us a player...
Tough game though with Reading stubbornly good despite their car crash ownership. Fair play to them. Whilst I wouldn't mind a few of their players I think their recruitment team are probably the ones to poach!
* The players (who have been playing flat out) got some rest
Would like to see: I know we joke about Chuks I would like see him back before he goes
Either Dixon or Kanu on the bench at least.
I'll say 3-1 Charlton as Reading aren't the same team away. That said, I'm expecting Reading to make it a tough game.
3-1, Leaburn running riot.
1-1.