Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Cambridge United - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlton Athletic will welcome Cambridge United to The Valley on Saturday with both sides looking to claim their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.

The two teams have an identical points tally, but the hosts sit a place higher in 14th position courtesy of a better goal difference than their opponents.

Match preview

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When caretaker manager Johnnie Jackson took over, Charlton were languishing in the relegation zone with only nine points to their name, but one defeat in his eight league games in charge has seen the Addicks climb up the League One table.

The hosts will be aiming to continue their rise up the standings with a victory on Saturday and their recent form suggests that they have every chance of doing so.

Jackson witnessed his side progress in both the EFL Trophy and FA Cup before they turned their attention back to league matters on Tuesday.

The midweek fixture saw Ipswich Town travel to London, but they would return home with nothing to show for their efforts after Jayden Stockley and Alex Gilbey scored to guide Charlton to a 2-0 victory.

The caretaker boss will be hoping three more points follow on Saturday, especially given the fact that his side are unbeaten at home since he took over the reins from Nigel Adkins.

Although Saturday opponents may be in a rich vein of form, Cambridge's recent results will inspire confidence that they could claim a positive result in their trip to the English capital.

An EFL Trophy victory over Walsall was followed by a 2-1 win against Exeter City in the FA Cup last weekend, with Adam May and Harvey Knibbs netting to edge out the Grecians.

The FA Cup encounter may have been close, but Cambridge's meeting with Cheltenham Town in midweek was anything but as Mark Bonner's side thrashed the Robins 5-0.

Sam Smith opened the scoring before Matthew Pollock scored an own goal, and a memorable night was sealed when Joe Ironside netted a hat-trick to wrap up the three points.

After scoring nine goals and only conceding once in their last three competitive games, Cambridge will be confident that they can claim at least a point on Saturday.

Team News

Jason Pearce came into the Charlton backline for the Ipswich encounter, and the veteran defender is expected to keep his place for Saturday.

Following their impressive performance in midweek, Jackson could name an unchanged side for the weekend's contest.

Cambridge could be without Shilow Tracey after an ankle injury forced the forward off at half time against Cheltenham.

Lloyd Jones is still out injured, and is not expected to feature over the Christmas period.

The U's will be hoping that Ironside can add to his 11-goal tally in the league when he leads the line on Saturday.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Clare, Pearc, Famewo; Lee, Dobson, Jaiyesimi, Gilbey, Purrington; Stockley, Washington

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Iredale, Dunk; Weir, Digby, May; Smith, Brophy, Ironside

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Cambridge United

Although Camrbidge will be full of confidence after their comfortable victory in midweek, we think they will struggle against a Charlton side that are in excellent form and our belief is that the hosts will claim their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.

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