MX23RW : Saturday, May 18 00:29:11| >> :120:6750:6750:
[monks data]
Attendance: 15,867
Charlton Athletic
Championship
Dec 12, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

0-0

FT

Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United.

Charlton Athletic will look to return to winning ways when they face Leeds United at The Valley.

The Addicks threw away a two-goal lead at Brighton & Hove Albion, but their opponents are going in search of a fourth victory in six games under new manager Steve Evans.


Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic interim Head Coach Karel Fraeye looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Milton Keynes Dons and Charlton Athletic at Stadium MK on November 3, 2015© Getty Images

Interim boss Karel Fraeye has admitted that last Saturday's defeat away to Brighton was "hard to take", having led 2-0 at the Amex Stadium.

However, keeper Stephen Henderson is adamant that a lack of consistency is a key factor in the Addicks' run of recent results.

He has urged his teammates to maintain their performance levels for longer and with Charlton languishing in the Championship relegation zone, it is easy to see why they need to up their game.

Things had looked up when Athletic beat Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City either side of the international break.

Nevertheless, a resounding defeat against Ipswich Town and last weekend's capitulation away to Albion means that the Addicks have picked up just seven points from a possible 36.

Part of their explanation for their wretched form lies in their defensive record, having let in 33 goals. Only Fulham and Rotherham United have conceded more.

Recent form: LLWWLL


Leeds United

Steve Evans manager of Leeds United reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers on October 29, 2015© Getty Images

Steve Evans has suggested that the club's hierarchy are ready to back him with transfer funds, if the Scot manages to turn the team's season into a possible playoff campaign.

The former Rotherham manager's appointment was questioned when he moved to Elland Road, but recent results have hinted at a revival of sorts.

Evans admitted that United had "a bad couple of weeks" when they lost to Rotherham and Queens Park Rangers, but believes that last weekend's victory over Hull City came at the right time for his squad.

Indeed, that victory means that Leeds have now won three of the last eight games (with three defeats), more victories than under Uwe Rosler during his brief time with the Yorkshire outfit.

The Whites have also become tighter in defence under their new boss, conceding only three goals in their last five games.

However, Evans is reportedly facing a fight to keep hold of young star Sam Byram, who is out of contract in the summer.

Recent form: LWWLLW


Team News

Leeds Captain Sol Bamba instructs his team during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Leeds United at Ashton Gate on August 19, 2015 in Bristol, England.© Getty Images

Leeds captain Sol Bamba is expected to miss the trip to The Valley, having been out with a fractured toe since mid-November.

His likely absence means that Liam Cooper and Giuseppe Bellusci should continue in the heart of the visitors' defence.

Tom Adeyemi is also in contention to keep his starting place after scoring in the win against Hull last week.

Meanwhile, Charlton will decide between retaining Chris Solly and Harry Lennon, or recall Tareiq Holmes-Dennis and Naby Sarr in defence.

Johnnie Jackson will be hoping for a return to the first XI after being left out of the matchday squad for the trip to Brighton.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Sarr, Bauer, Holmes-Dennis, Fox; Diarra, Cousins, Ghoochannejhad, Gudmundsson, Lookman; Vaz Te

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Wootton, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor; Dallas, Adeyemi, Cook, Bridcutt, Mowatt; Wood


Head To Head

Of the 53 previous meetings dating back to October 1931, Leeds have had the better of things, winning 25 and losing 18.

However, their recent record against the Addicks is not great, with only one win in the last nine encounters.

In that solitary victory, they relied on four goals from striker Ross McCormack to help them triumph 4-2 at The Valley.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-2 Leeds United

Both sides have shown signs of recovery in recent weeks and it may be that Charlton prove a tough side to beat this time, but United's relative resurgence has demonstrated that they are growing in confidence and could take another win at The Valley.



ID:261563: cacheID:261563:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10214:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leeds Captain Sol Bamba instructs his team during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Leeds United at Ashton Gate on August 19, 2015 in Bristol, England.
Read Next:
Sol Bamba unlikely to feature against Charlton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester463141189414897
3Leeds UnitedLeeds462791081433890
4Southampton462691187632487
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4621121370472375
6Norwich CityNorwich4621101579641573
7Hull City461913146860870
8Middlesbrough46209177162969
9Coventry CityCoventry4617131670591164
10Preston North EndPreston46189195667-1163
11Bristol City461711185351262
12Cardiff CityCardiff46195225370-1762
13Millwall461611194555-1059
14Swansea CitySwansea461512195965-657
15Watford461317166161056
16Sunderland46168225254-256
17Stoke CityStoke461511204960-1156
18Queens Park RangersQPR461511204758-1156
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn461411216074-1453
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds46158234468-2453
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth461312215970-1151
RBirmingham CityBirmingham461311225065-1550
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield46918194877-2945
RRotherham UnitedRotherham46512293789-5227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!