Charlton Athletic Online

Here's something for the weekend, an early preview of Charlton's Premiership match against Fulham on Monday night to be shown on live TV.

This is Charlton's second live Sky showing this season; the first was a 3-0 away win against Boro to so all Addicks fans will be hoping for a similar result this time around. This is also the third home London derby of the season for Curbishley's men, and both of the previous matches have ended in defeat; the first to Champions-elect Chelsea (yes, even in October it's safe to say this...), plus the last home outing versus Spurs which finished 3-2.

Charlton still currently sit second in the table, but come kick-off time on Monday night, this will almost certainly not be the case, with other weekend games likely to have taken several other teams above Charlton. Fulham could also be perilously close to the foot of the table by then. It is an important game for both sides therefore, with plenty of movement up the table possible for whoever wins.

Charlton have had 14 players away with their countries playing internationals since that Spurs match, and Curbs will be anxious to see that they have all returned to Sparrows Lane fit and well this morning. Those who didn't have the World Cup on their minds have had benefit of a testimonial match against Exeter to keep them match-fit. Sorondo and Bartlett are two players known to have picked up injuries during the past fortnight.

Curb's large squad is looking good provided nobody got injured midweek, and competition for places is really hotting up. So who will play on Monday, who will be on the bench, and who won't make the sixteen?

Let's start with the goalies:
Anderson, Kiely, Myrhe - all fit. The Dane is incumbent, but will Curbs keep the faith, or bring Deano back? Tough call this; I'd bank on Anderson for this match, but he needs to start making saves (the 78% shots/saved OPTA statistic isn't much good if you let relatively easy shots in as versus Spurs...), with Deano on the bench. Myrhe, who has had two international clean sheets in a week will unluckily not make the bench while these other two are fit.

Defence:
Sorondo is out injured (he did his hamstring at Exeter); Sankofa and Youga have gone to Bristol City on loan for a while; all others seem fit. England's Luke Young will play at right back, and will captain the side. Hermann is fit again, and should come into the team, but should he replace Perry, El Karkouri or Powell. My view is that Chrissy should stand aside now that we have centre backs who are fit, so that Hermann can once more rampage down the left wing. Powell has played very well mostly so far this season, but has tired in recent games; he did not expect to get many games this season and has done us proud in those that he has played. I would therefore keep Perry and El Karkouri as centre backs. Fortune will miss out again and Spector will continue as sub.

Midfield:
Holland and Ambrose are fit, but I cannot see either displacing the triumvirate that is Smertin, Kishishev, and Murphy.
Those three have been playing brilliantly together, although all have had World Cup disappointments recently. Danny is the only one who can still make it to Germany, but he'll need to maintain his great form in order to make Sven pick him. Smerts team mates messed up in midweek by not beating Slovakia and Russia will therefore not be going to Germany, and it's been known for a while that Kish will have a relaxing Summer next year too. Hughes will make the subs bench again, as he has done little wrong so far this season.

Wingers:
Rommedahl and Thomas both played twice during the international break, and both should keep their places in the Charlton team on the back of good performances this season. Sam is pressing hard for inclusion, but will have to bide his time.

Strikers:
Darren Bent will be pleased to get a game, don't you think? That is unless Curbs takes a leaf out of Sven's book of tactics and uses him as a bench warmer too! Bartlett hurt his ankle while away with South Africa and failed to make his international farewell appearance; he must be doubtful for Monday's game. Bothroyd did his chances a power of good with a hat-trick at Exeter. Other forwards - JJ played for Finland in a midweek defeat, and Lisbie is back from his Norwich loan spell (one goal in six appearances). Expect to see Dazza on fire up front with Jay Bothroyd as sub.

My team forecast (depending on unknown injuries):
Anderson, Young, Perry, El Karkouri, Hreidersson, Smertin, Kishishev, Murphy, Rommedahl, Thomas, Bent. Subs: Kiely, Spector, Ambrose, Hughes, Bothroyd.

Fulham will be hard nuts to crack, but hopefully class will eventually tell. Malbranque has not been playing like he was a few years back, though ex-Addick Claus Jensen will probably maintain his fabulous early season form in midfield - Kish has a marking job on here. Luis Boa Morte and Collins John are dangerous if allowed space, and both Radzinski and McBride have scored at The Valley before (both for Everton). They are not a team to strike fear into anyone though, and a positive, passionate, and committed performance should see Charlton victors.

Pedro45's one to watch in this match is Darren Bent, who hopefully will maintain or better his goal a game ratio in The Premiership this season, and thereby stick a couple of fingers up at Sven (much as he did to the Spurs fans), and the score forecast is a 3-1 win for Charlton. Up the Addicks!