Charltonvs.Exeter

In contrasting form, the Addicks' lengthy unbeaten streak was broken last time out, while the Grecians earned their first win for more than a month.

Match preview

Prior to their game against Birmingham City on Sunday, Nathan Jones's Charlton had won five and drawn one of their previous six fixtures, earning 16 points in the process.

Unfortunately for the Addicks, they were beaten 1-0 by the league leaders and were left seventh in the table after 31 matches, exactly three points behind Leyton Orient in the playoff spots.

However, considering that Saturday's hosts have not lost on their own turf since early December and have won six of the last seven at the Valley, they will be confident of getting back to winning ways at the first time of asking.

Jones's side lost the reverse fixture 1-0 back in November when they were unable to respond to Tristan Crama's opener, though given the 10-place and 15-point gap that has emerged since then, it would be a shock if that result was to be repeated this time around.

This weekend, Charlton will be keen to get ahead of rivals Bolton Wanderers - who are level on points with the Addicks - and a win would certainly put pressure on both Orient and fifth-placed Huddersfield Town, who have dropped 11 points in their last six third-tier games.

Meanwhile, Gary Caldwell's Exeter City beat bottom-of-the-table Cambridge United at Cledara Abbey Stadium most recently, a result that led to the departure of U's boss Garry Monk.

That victory was the Grecians' first League One win of 2025 and pushed them to 17th in the table, though they will still be wary of the fact that they are just six points above the relegation zone after 30 games.

Saturday's visitors have picked up almost half of their 35 points on the road this campaign, but it is notable that their win last week was only the third time that they had avoided defeat away from their own ground since mid-October.

To make matters worse, the reverse fixture's match-winning centre-back, Crama, has since left Exeter after being recalled by parent club Brentford and subsequently sold to Millwall following his strong start to the season.

This weekend, Caldwell's side will have low expectations, but if they are to take anything from a trip to Charlton, then they will need to work on their defensive solidity considering that they conceded eight goals while scoring just three in their four away games prior to their clash against Cambridge.

Charlton Athletic League One form:

W

W

D

W

W

L

Exeter City League One form:

L

D

L

L

L

W

Exeter City form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Charlton are likely to be without goalkeeper Ashley Maynard Brewer after he was taken off with an injury against Birmingham, so expect William Mannion to start between the sticks.

Protecting Mannion will be Lloyd Jones and Macaulay Gillesphey at centre-back, and the duo should be flanked by Kayne Ramsay and Josh Edwards at full-back.

As for Exeter, last week's matchwinner Josh Magennis will start up front, supported by Caleb Watts - who assisted the game's only goal - and Ryan Trevitt from wide areas.

Elsewhere, Joel Colwill and Edward Francis are likely to start in the centre of the park, though Ryan Woods will be pushing for a place in the XI after his substitute appearance against Cambridge.

In defence, the Grecians will be missing centre-back Pierce Sweeney, who has not featured at all in 2025, so anticipate a trio of Jack McMillan, Angus McDonald and Alex Hartridge to feature.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Docherty; Small, Berry, Campbell; Godden

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Whitworth; Niskanen, McMillan, MacDonald, Hartridge, Harper; Watts, Colwill, Francis, Trevitt; Magennis

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-0 Exeter City

Charlton may have lost last time out, but their form prior had been excellent, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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