Charltonvs.Blackpool

The visitors meanwhile will be looking to make it two league wins out of two under Steve Bruce, as the new manager looks to build momentum with the Tangerines.

Match preview

Charlton come into this game on the back of a busy week which saw them claim two away wins in both the league and EFL Trophy; the first game was a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury Town last Saturday when Gassan Ahadme netted early in the second half to give the Addicks all three points in the league.

Then in midweek, Charlton came away from Cambridge United with a 2-1 victory in the EFL Trophy courtesy of goals from Tayo Edun and Matt Godden, but Karoy Anderson was sent off late on after picking up his second yellow card.

It has been a very strong start to the campaign for Charlton with them currently sitting in third, but with only six goals scored from their opening six league games, Nathan Jones will be hoping for more firepower if his side are to sustain a playoff challenge this season.

The Addicks have the third-lowest xG (1.06) in League One, yet their defensive structure and ability to hold on to a narrow lead is certainly proving to be a strength of theirs in the early stages of the season.

However, you have to go back to January 2013 for Charlton's last home victory over Blackpool, so recent fixture history is not on their side when it comes to their upcoming opponents.

Blackpool head into Saturday's game on the back of a dramatic home win against Exeter City last weekend, when James Husband scored in the last seconds to give Steve Bruce a dream debut win.

CJ Hamilton's early opener was cancelled out by a late Edward Francis strike for Exeter, but a clever corner routine in the last play of the game saw Husband head home in front of a rapturous home support.

However, that dramatic win was followed up with a 1-0 home defeat in the EFL Cup third round against one of Bruce's former clubs, Sheffield Wednesday, courtesy of Di'Shon Bernard's goal.

Bruce will be hoping that this defeat does not disrupt his honeymoon period with the Tangerines, particularly with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Barnsley and Peterborough United all to play before the end of October.

With almost two years out of the game following his dismissal from West Bromwich Albion it will be interesting to see if he can replicate the success he had at the likes of Birmingham City and Hull City.

Charlton Athletic League One form:

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Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

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Blackpool League One form:

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Team News

Jones will be delighted that defender Josh Edwards is ahead of schedule as he closes in on a return from an ankle injury, and although he is ruled out of Saturday's game, Thierry Small has deputised well in place of Edwards.

Forward Miles Leaburn is not being rushed back following his recent return from injury, but Jones otherwise has a fully-fit squad to pick from for the visit of Blackpool, with Tyreece Campbell and Ahadme once again likely to lead the line for the Addicks.

For Blackpool, Bruce was hit with the gut-wrenching news that midfielder Ollie Norburn is expected to be out of action for a month after picking up a hamstring injury in the defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

This news could force a midfield reshuffle for Blackpool, with Elliot Embleton a potential option to come in, although Albie Morgan could also partner Lee Evans in the middle of the park if Bruce wants to go with more stability in the spine of the team.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Ramsay, Docherty, Coventry, Berry, Small; Ahadme, Campbell

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Tryer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Husband; Morgan, Evans, Embleton; Hamilton, Ballard, Joseph

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Blackpool

Charlton have been superb defensively this season, and they appear to have a knack of just getting over the line which could once again serve them well this weekend.

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