Lee Bowyer’s Charlton will be looking to secure their seventh victory from their last eight Sky Bet League One matches when they host Gillingham at The Valley on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
The Addicks ground out a hard-fought win over AFC Wimbledon last weekend, despite going down to ten men after Naby Sarr was dismissed after less than a minute. However, after 33 minutes, numbers were even again when The Dons’ Mitchell Pinnock was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
The win meant Charlton remained fifth in the league table but moved level on points with fourth-placed Peterborough United, who could only draw away to Shrewsbury Town. Another three points on Saturday could see Bowyer's side move level on points with third-placed Sunderland.
In Gillingham, the Addicks will face a team in a good run of form. The Gills are unbeaten in their last four and came from two goals down to earn a point against Wycombe Wanderers last week. They will be looking to push on over the festive period and improve on their 16th position.
Charlton will be without George Lapslie (concussion), Karlan Grant (hamstring) and Jamie Ward (thigh), who look likely to return after Christmas. The Addicks should be boosted by the return of experienced midfielder Darren Pratley, who is set to return after a spell on the side-lines with a knee injury. Josh Cullen and Igor Vetokele remain out with shoulder injuries, along with long-term absentee Jake Forster-Caskey.
For Gillingham, Max Ehmer is out with a dislocated collarbone.
Tickets for Saturday’s home game remain on sale and full pricing information is available to view below.
Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 03330 14 44 44 up until 1pm on Saturday. They will remain on sale in person from The Valley right up until kick-off.
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer: “Gillingham give everything and they work hard. We have to respect whoever we are playing but as long as we compete and focus on what we are good at I think we will win the game. It's 90 minutes with no guarantee to win, so you have to work hard for that. We have had a good rest and worked hard this week, so will definitely be ready for Saturday."
Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell: “Charlton are on a good run but we will prepare and play our own way. Our away form is very good, so there is no reason to fear them. Lee Bowyer has turned it around a little bit there. I know a lot about the club, we have done our homework and they will have done on us but it depends what happens on the day.”
Charlton and Gillingham have met on 32 occasions since their first meeting in 1921. The Addicks have earned 14 victories, while there have also been 12 draws and six wins for Gillingham.
For 2018/19's match previews, we are dipping into the Valley Pass archive to look back on a previous encounter against Charlton's opponents. This time, we throwback to 2017 when goals from Jason Pearce, Ricky Holmes and Josh Magennis were enough for a convincing 3-0 win at The Valley.
Charles Breakspear will be the man in charge on Saturday at The Valley.
So far this season, Breakspear has overseen 25 games where he has brandished 91 yellow cards and nine reds. Breakspear has officiated the Addicks once this campaign, in the home loss to Swansea City U21 in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Breakspear will be joined by assistants Samuel Ogles and Marc Wilson.
Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik is the cover star and main feature of Saturday's matchday programme.
The Poland U21 international delves into making the step up from U23 football, what it was like moving away from home at the age of 17 and also looks ahead to the busy festive period.
Saturday's edition of Valley Review is priced at £3 and can be purchased from in and around The Valley. To read more about Saturday's programme, please click here.
The North Stand’s free entry supporters’ bar will be open as usual, with its doors opening from 12pm.
All season ticket holders and Charlton fans with match tickets are welcome to visit the Fans’ Bar before and after the game and supporters can purchase food and drinks in there.
On Saturday, the Fans’ Bar will be showing the early kick-off between Arsenal and Burnley and late game between Hull City and Swansea City.
Saturday's Family Activity Zone will be open between 1.15pm and 2.30pm, giving youngsters the chance to warm up for the game by playing FIFA, pool and table tennis.
Outside, youngsters can play in the FAZ’s football cage and practice their football shooting skills with the Community Trust’s inflatable target game.
On the East Street menu for Saturday is sweet and sour chicken drumsticks and rice, while the ‘sausage of the match’ is a jumbo pork sausage served with fried onions served a sub roll.
Portions of chips will be on sale too and, as a sweeter option, muffins and jam doughnuts will be available amongst other things.
Supporters can follow all the build-up to the game on Charlton's official Instagram account, official Twitter account, Facebook page and official Snapchat account.
Live commentary of the clash will be available on Valley Pass exclusively for subscribers. Please click here for more information on how you can subscribe to Valley Pass and how you can purchase a 48-hour matchday pass, which is priced at just £4.
Supporters will be able to donate non-perishable foods to Greenwich Foodbank between midday and 3pm. Food will be collected in the West Stand car park.
Please see below to view Saturday's matchday timetable.
Fans are also advised to arrive at The Valley in good time, and to plan their journeys in advance, in order to avoid long queues when buying tickets and entering the ground. Searches will be taking place at the turnstiles due to heightened security in the capital at this time.
All EFL clubs have been provided with the below information.
