Charlton kick off their 2021/22 Carabao Cup campaign at The Valley on Tuesday evening (7.45pm), with AFC Wimbledon making the short trip across south London.
The Addicks come into the first-round tie on the back of a goalless stalemate against newly relegated Sheffield Wednesday in SE7 on Saturday evening, while Wimbledon triumphed in south Yorkshire over Doncaster Rovers.
TEAM NEWS
Jake Forster-Caskey remains the Addicks’ solitary long-term absentee as he steps up his recovery from the ACL injury sustained in the penultimate game of the 2020/21 League One campaign, with the tie also thought to come too soon for Ben Purrington, Alex Gilbey and Ronnie Schwartz.
Meanwhile, summer signing George Dobson could be in line to face his former club, while Assistant Manager Rob Tuvey has praised Wimbledon’s strength in depth as the Dons look likely to make changes.
THE OPPOSITION
Mark Robinson’s side enjoyed opening-day joy at the Keepmoat Stadium as the Dons ran out 2-1 victors against Doncaster Rovers. 19-year-old Ayoub Assal levelled proceedings after Charlie Seaman had gifted the hosts the ascendancy, before Luke McCormick marked his debut with a smart free-kick to seal the Dons’ fightback.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Tuesday’s meeting will be the 12th instalment of this fixture; both sides boast four wins apiece, with the spoils being shared on the remaining three occasions.
In terms of the 'original' Wimbledon side, there were 16 fixtures played against Charlton, with the Addicks claiming four victories, the Dons eight and the other four matches drawn.
The last encounter came at Plough Lane in the business end of the 2020/21 League One season, marking the start of Nigel Adkins’ reign as Addicks manager. A trademark Jayden Stockley header and a maiden Charlton goal for Diallang Jaiyesimi twice gave Adkins’ men the lead, though a Ryan Longman brace saw the Addicks pegged back on both occasions to leave SW17 with a point.
Wimbledon’s last trip to The Valley was certainly a pulsating one as the Addicks ran out 5-2 victors in a frenetic, attack-minded game. Quickfire goals from Joe Pigott and Daniel Csoka cancelled out Conor Washington’s opener on the stroke of half-time, but it was after the interval when Charlton ran riot. Two goals in as many minutes from Jake Forster-Caskey and substitute Jonny Williams restored the Addicks’ lead, before fellow replacements Chuks Aneke and Ben Purrington notched late on.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Robert Lewis will take charge of Tuesday’s fixture, having officiated 30 games last term, including the Addicks’ 1-1 draw at Gillingham in November 2020.
Lewis will be assisted by Stuart Butler and Damith Bandara, while Ryan Atkin is the Fourth Official.
OTHER INFO
Tickets can still be secured for this evening’s first-round tie in SE7 - just click here to get yours!
Supporters worldwide can tune into live audio commentary of the clash for just £4 with a 48-hour CharltonTV pass, while also enjoying unlimited access to on-demand CharltonTV videos across the 48-hour period. To get your pass, please click here!
Bartram's will be open for supporters ahead of the match, with doors opening at 5.30pm.
The Valley Superstore will close at kick-off and will not be open following full-time.
A £2 edition of Valley Review will be available around the ground on Tuesday evening.
