Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Charlton Athletic will welcome AFC Wimbledon to The Valley on Saturday and the hosts enter the contest in a buoyant mood after picking up seven points from their last three League One games.

As for the visitors, they will be looking to end a ten-game winless run in all competitions, which has left them in a lowly 20th position.

Match preview

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Charlton Athletic will bid to continue their fine run of form after collecting back-to-back league victories thanks to a 2-0 home win against Fleetwood Town before beating Portsmouth in their last outing.

On Monday, the Addicks made the trip to Fratton Park with the aim of ending a five-game winless away run in the league.

Conor Washington poked home from close range to give Charlton a half time lead before they doubled their advantage after the break courtesy of Clark Robertson's own goal and despite Michael Jacobs pulling a goal back for Pompey, the Addicks held firm to claim a 2-1 victory.

Johnnie Jackson's side will now return to The Valley as they bid to continue their climb up the league table and after winning four of their last five home league games, they will be quietly confident of picking up three points on Saturday.

The Addicks will be confident of restricting the attacks of Wimbledon, having kept seven league clean sheets at The Valley this term - no other League One team have collected more.

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Wimbledon head into Saturday's encounter just two points above the relegation zone and rather than losses, it has been the numerous draws that they have collected that has seen the Dons dragged into a relegation battle.

They may have lost only once in their last six games, but five draws in that period has prevented Wimbledon from moving away from danger.

Last weekend, Ayoub Assal gave the Dons an early lead against Shrewsbury Town, but a second-half strike from Daniel Udoh ensured that the contest ended level.

Another draw followed in midweek, with Assal once again finding the opener, but a brace from Alfie May gave Cheltenham Town a half-time lead before Aaron Cosgrave struck with 10 minutes to play, resulting in the contest finishing 2-2.

One win from their last seven away league games will not fill Wimbledon with confidence, but they can take confidence from the fact that they have already won at The Valley this season after winning 1-0 in the EFL Cup in August.

Team News

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Charlton are still without Jayden Stockley, while Jake Forster-Caskey is a long term absentee.

Ryan Inniss was withdrawn in the second half against Portsmouth as a precaution, and he is expected to shake off a hamstring problem to feature on Saturday.

After an impressive display on Monday, the Addicks could name an unchanged lineup for the Wimbledon clash.

As for the Dons, Lee Brown has started the last two games after signing on a permanent deal from Portsmouth and the left-back will retain his place in the backline.

Transfer deadline day signings Sam Cosgrove and Nathan Broome could be among the substitutes for the trip to the Valley.

Meanwhile, Assal will aim to continue his fine goalscoring form after netting in his last two appearances.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Clare, Inniss, Famewo; Matthews, Morgan, Dobson, Gilbey, Blackett-Taylor; Aneke, Washington

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Alexander, Heneghan, Nightingale, Brown; Marsh, Hartigan, McCormick; Rudoni, Assal, Cosgrave

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 AFC Wimbledon

Although we expect the encounter to be closely contested, the momentum is with Charlton after collecting seven points from their previous three league games, and we believe that Jackson's troops have enough quality to edge out the visitors on Saturday.

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