At risk of relegation this season, Northampton Town are set to host Charlton Athletic at Sixfields Stadium on Saturday in League One.
Both sides are in poor form ahead of this weekend's clash, though the Cobblers have lost their last two games while the Addicks did at least manage a draw last time out against Mansfield Town.
Match preview
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As the search for a new permanent manager goes on, caretaker boss Ian Sampson continues to take charge of Northampton and will be in the dugout on Saturday.
Sampson's side are at serious risk of relegation this season, and are currently 19th in League One with 21 points from their 20 matches.
The Cobblers lost 3-0 against Rotherham United in their most recent league match, and are now just two points above the relegation zone having played a game more than 21st-placed Crawley Town.
In their last match on December 17, Northampton were also thoroughly beaten 3-0 by Nene derby rivals Peterborough United, and in that game Sampson's side had just 25% possession while facing 11 shots on target, producing only one of their own.
However, the Cobblers' Timothy Eyoma received a red card just before half time, and given his team's prior victory over Peterborough on December 9, it could be argued that the dismissed centre-back bears the brunt of responsibility for the disappointing performance.
That being said, Northampton have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions, and they will be hoping to earn some points this weekend to alleviate the burden on any potential incoming manager.
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Meanwhile, Nathan Jones's Charlton are currently 14th in League One having earned 24 points from their 19 matches so far.
Five points above the relegation zone, the Addicks are not in the same precarious position as their opponents this weekend, though their form is still troubling.
Jones's side have only won one of their last nine league matches, drawing five and losing three in that period, and are yet to win a game in any competition this month.
In their most recent match, Charlton played out a 0-0 draw with Mansfield Town, and this result means that the Addicks are now without a home league win since October 5.
Notably, that goalless draw was part of a run that has seen Charlton fail to score in any of their last three games, and it will be worrisome for Jones that even three of the four teams in League One's relegation zone have scored more than their tally of 17 this season.
On the other hand, just five teams in the division have conceded less than the Addicks this season, and this defensive solidity has enabled Charlton to avoid defeat even when their offence has struggled.
Team News
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Northampton boss Sampson will be without centre-back Timothy Eyoma, who recently extended his contract until the end of the season, after his red card in midweek, and Joshua Tomlinson will likely partner Jon Guthrie in front of goalkeeper Nik Tzanev.
This week it was announced that striker Martyn Waghorn has terminated his contract with mutual consent, and Tom Eaves can be expected to start up front on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nesta Guiness-Walker, who also received a contract extension in midweek, will start at left-back for the Cobblers this weekend.
As for Charlton, boss Jones mentioned in a recent press conference that right-sided defender Kayne Ramsay is close to a return from the knee injury that has kept him out since October, but he is not expected to be available for the trip to Northampton.
With this in mind, Tyreece Campbell is likely to line up in a right wing-back position flanking centre-backs Alex Mitchell, Lloyd Jones and Macaulay Gillesphey.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Odimayo, Tomlinson, Guthrie, Guiness-Walker; Hondermarck, Chouchane; Pinnock, McGeehan, Roberts; Eaves
Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Brewer; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Campbell, Anderson, Taylor, Coventry, Small; Godden, Kanu
We say: Northampton Town 0-2 Charlton Athletic
Neither side are in the best form at the moment, but Charlton's superior defence may make it difficult for the Cobblers to create chances.
Additionally, given the nature of the hosts' back-to-back losses going into this weekend's clash, it is difficult to see anything other than another defeat for Northampton on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
