MATCH PREVIEW: Preston NE vs Charlton Athletic (FAC3R) | Sat 11th Jan 2025 moved to Tue 14th 7:45pm

Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic
Saturday 11th January 2025 - 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo

Ahh the likes of Preston North End of the Championship, those were the good ol' days... those are the days that we aspire to now, instead of facing the likes of Crawley Town - For one weekend we've got a chance to go toe to toe with the "Big" boys. The writing could even be on the wall for a historic Charlton victory... After all we've scored four goals in our previous two games in this competition (against Southend and Walsall), it would be a fitting way to replicate those score line as we look march into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.

The Opposition
Name: Preston North End - Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
Ground: Deepdale
FA Cup Last Season: Chelsea 4-0 Preston (Third Round)

Standing in our way of a potential advancement in the world's greatest competition is Preston North End... I've already said that havent I

There are three teams that seem to have permanently called the Championship their home, never interested in promotion, and never seemingly at threat of relegation either - It sounds like a Charlton utopia albeit in the Championship rather than League One doesnt it - Preston, (along with Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City) have spent more seasons in the second tier than any current Championship team without going anywhere. Regarding our opponents this coming weekend, they were promoted from League One in 2014-15 and there they have stayed, perennially fighting for the honour of mid-table until the coming of the Four Horsemen!!

Even Preston's exploits in the FA Cup have been less than exciting, since returning to the Championship, they've won just twice in the FA Cup, all other seven outings in the Third Round have seen them exit at the first stage, albeit recent defeats have come at the hands of Chelsea and Tottenham - The Lilywhites last lost to lower league opposition in 2021, a 4-1 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers

In terms of players, and the main focus should rightfully be on Patrick Bauer, the big f**king German should never require an introduction as a Charlton Legend, but has seen his career stall over recent years with Preston, he's only managed one single appearance this term, so his involvement is unlikely.

Charlton Team News
Did I mention that there is a spooky correlation to Charlton and the number four in the FA Cup this season? - Four goals scored against Southend, four goals scored against Walsall as we look to advance to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup this season... Well Gassan Ahadme "Mr FA Cup" himself will surely get some minutes this coming Saturday, having excelled in the competition this season, and will be looking to secure his fourth goal in three games... It truly is written in the Charlton Stars!!

Elsewhere and we may well see a few changes amongst the squad, what with the minutes played by many of the players over the Christmas break with little rotation. So now would be a sensible time to allow certain individuals the opportunity to rest and recuperate, albeit the nine substitutes should allow Nathan Jones plenty of wiggle room with his selection - Kayne Ramsay could be one of those names to earn a handful of minutes from the bench, having returned to full training in recent days, and will be a welcome return with the second half of the season ahead of us.