East London rivals Charlton Athletic and Millwall clash in a crucial game at the Valley tonight. The Addicks are looking to continue their push towards safety while Millwall are looking to reignite their play-off bid.
Charlton head into this derby fresh off collecting seven points from their last three games. Millwall, meanwhile, have stuttered since the Championship restarted, collecting just two points from their three games.
Charlton Athletic and Millwall Lock Horns at The Valley
Charlton Have Been Steady if Not Spectacular
The Addicks head into this contest full of confidence, having collected seven points from their last three games – all with clean sheets. Lee Bowyer’s team are proving resilient, if not particularly spectacular since the restart.
They are creeping up the Championship table and victory in the derby will put them level on points with Reading and Birmingham City. It’s a crucial game for Charlton and, certainly, Bowyer will want his side to build on their recent success.
With games coming thick and fast, the boss may opt to rotate his team. Darren Pratley, Ben Purrington and Macauley Bonne all started on the bench at Cardiff City. Bowyer could recall all three to the starting 11.
West Bromwich Albion loanee Sam Field went off injured in South Wales and will be assessed ahead of the game.
Millwall Seeking Their First Win Since the Season Restart
Gary Rowett’s Millwall have stuttered since the restart, collecting just two points. Their slow start to the restart has left them five points adrift of the play-offs.
Rowett will be looking for his side to respond. He will see this critical East London derby as the perfect opportunity to reignite their promotion bid. Victory for the Lions will see them climb over a host of rivals, including Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers, and move to within two points of Cardiff.
Mason Bennett will be assessed by Rowett after going off at half time against Swansea City. Like Bowyer, Rowett could also rotate his team with games coming thick and fast.
Jayson Molumby, Ben Thompson and Alex Pearce were all unused substitutes in midweek and could be recalled.
Previous Meeting
Millwall snatched a late winner when the two sides last met. Matt Smith’s stoppage-time winner secured the bragging rights for the Lions after Jonathan Leko looked to have secured Charlton a point.
Prediction
This is a crucial derby for both sides. Charlton are unbeaten in three, while Millwall have won just once in their last seven.
Another win for Charlton will edge them a step closer to safety. Victory for the visitors will reignite their flailing promotion bid. It was a tight contest back in November and expect a similar pattern in the rematch.
Prediction: Charlton Athletic 1-0 Millwall
Main Photo
