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

Both Charlton Athletic and Oxford United need to return to winning ways after two back-to-back defeats, and the two teams meet at The Valley on Saturday in League One.

Those two losses have been damaging for Oxford in the short run, as they have slipped out of the playoff spots, currently sitting seventh, while Charlton need to pick up some more victories if they want to climb into the top half of the table.

Match preview

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Johnnie Jackson's side had put together a four-game unbeaten run in League One, but after a victory to start this month, February has now brought back-to-back 2-1 defeats for Charlton.

Last time out, Elliot Lee had given the Addicks a 1-0 lead against a high-flying Wigan Athletic side, but the hosts went on to turn the game around at the DW Stadium.

Charlton will be pleased to be back on home soil this weekend, having picked up nine more points in one fewer game on their own patch, and they should be looking to score a couple of goals on Saturday also.

Jackson's side have netted 24 times in 15 matches at The Valley this season, and with Oxford having the second worst defensive record out of League One's top nine teams, the hosts will be looking to capitalise on that.

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The Yellows need to get back to winning ways soon to avoid being left behind by the division's top six, as Plymouth who sit directly above Oxford currently, have two games in hand to their advantage.

Karl Robinson's side will not need to panic with their present position as the race for the playoff positions is very tight and is likely to remain close until the final day of the campaign, but three points after two defeats seems necessary for this weekend's visitors.

Last Saturday, Oxford allowed Bolton Wanderers to score an 86th-minute winner at the Kassam Stadium, leaving the hosts to suffer a 3-2 defeat on home soil after initially managing to take the lead twice in the first half.

The Yellows will need to tighten up defensively if they are to secure a top-six finish, having kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 outings, putting a lot of pressure on their attacking players to outscore the opposition.

Robinson's team will want to replicate the result which they recorded in the reverse fixture in August, when goals from Ryan Williams and Cameron Brannagan ensured a 2-1 win for the U's.

Team News

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Charlton's Corey Blackett-Taylor was forced off after just 12 minutes against Wimbledon at the beginning of this month and has not featured for the side since, and he is expected to continue to be absent for the hosts.

Lee came back into the starting lineup last time out and he is likely to retain his place in the number 10 role, with Diallang Jaiyesimi and Jonathan Leko providing the width.

Academy graduate Mason Burstow could continue to lead the line for Charlton, as top scorer Conor Washington faces a late fitness test after picking up an injury after the Bolton defeat.

Billy Bodin is likely to retain his place in the starting lineup for the visitors after two goals last time out, while Herbie Kane and Brannagan will sit slightly deeper in a midfield pair.

Matty Taylor is certain to lead the line for the Yellows, while Robinson has options in the wide areas, but is likely to start with Mark Sykes and Gavin Whyte on this occasion.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Purrington, Inniss, Clare, Matthews; Dobson, Gilbey; Jaiyesimi, Lee, Leko; Burstow

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Seddon, Moore, McNally, Long; Brannagan, Kane; Sykes, Bodin, Whyte; Taylor

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-2 Oxford United

Matches involving Oxford this season have usually produced a lot of goals and it is unlikely to be any different this weekend, with both teams expected to get on the scoresheet a few times.

Both sides will be desperate to avoid defeat this weekend and stop their current losing run, which is why they could cancel each other out on Saturday, both being in similar form.

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