[monks data]

Championship

Apr 5, 2014 at 3pm UK

Charlton Charlton Athletic
0-1
Reading

FT(HT: 0-0)

Williams (73')

Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Reading

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 03 April 2014

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship meeting between relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic and playoff-chasing Reading.

Two teams in need of a win for very different reasons go head to head on Saturday as Charlton Athletic host Reading at The Valley.

The hosts have given their chances of survival a big boost with three wins in their last five games, leaving them three points clear of the drop with games in hand over the teams below them.

However, despite their improvement under new boss Jose Riga, they will still be looking cautiously over their shoulders, particularly with Barnsley beginning to find a bit of form.

The Addicks are currently three points clear of Barnsley but only have one game in hand over the Tykes compared to two games in hand over the rest of the teams around them.

A win on Saturday would be priceless for the club, particularly if those below them fail to pick up three points, but goals have been hard to come by all season for the Addicks. They are the league's lowest scorers with a measly 27 from their 37 games, while they have not scored more than one goal in a game since Boxing Day.

A third 1-0 win in his fifth home game in charge would suit Riga just fine, however. Only Burnley have beaten or scored against Charlton at The Valley during his short tenure so far, with defensive solidity at home a notable improvement under the Belgian boss.

He has no new injury concerns to worry about for the weekend, with Jonathan Obika expected to lead the line and midweek match winner Reza Ghoochannejhad on the wing.

Reading, meanwhile, remain the envy of a number of clubs as they occupy the final playoff position despite back-to-back slip-ups against Barnsley and Huddersfield Town.

The Royals were let off by the stuttering form of their fellow playoff contenders, but Nigel Adkins will be fully aware that they can't afford to drop too many more points in the final seven games of the season.

Consistency has been a problem for Reading in recent weeks having not won consecutive matches since January/February, yet they remain two points clear of Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town immediately below them.

Unusually, Reading have been better on their travels this season than they have at home, picking up 31 points on the road compared to 29 at the Madejski. That tally has been helped largely by four wins and one draw from their last five and just one defeat in their last seven.

Adkins could bring Adam Le Fondre back into the starting lineup, while Danny Guthrie is also available again following suspension. Jem Karacan, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Bridge and Sean Morrison are still absent through injury, although the latter two are nearing returns.

Recent form

Charlton: DWLWLW

Reading: DWDWLD

Possible starting lineups

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Ajdarevic, Jackson, Poyet, Cousins, Ghoochanneijhad; Obika

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Obita; McCleary, Guthrie, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu; Pogrebynak, Le Fondre

Sports Mole says: 1-1