Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

Despite Exeter still being on the hunt for a new permanent manager after the departure of Matt Taylor, they will be a tricky opponent as shown in their latest victory against Barnsley.

Match preview

Charlton's most recent draw against Lincoln City on Saturday was their fourth draw in their previous five league fixtures and was far from an entertaining game for anyone in attendance with just two shots on target in the 90 minutes, Charlton having one of those.

Playing at The Valley offers some hope for Ben Garner's side as they are still yet to be beaten at home, picking up nine points in five games so far, including an impressive 5-1 victory against league leaders Plymouth Argyle, although that was their last league victory on August 16.

The Addicks have scored and conceded 15 goals this season, with neither stat being remarkable but their defensive record at home so far is a potential route to victory, only conceding four times in five games this season.

Irish defender Eoghan O'Connell has been the only ever-present of the Charlton defence and with the clear trust of his manager, he will be hoping that he can lead his side to consecutive clean sheets and put them in a strong position to potentially pick up three points.

After the departure of Matt Taylor to Rotherham United, it was important that Exeter continued the good momentum they had picked up in the league and they did that with a 2-0 victory away at Barnsley, under the continued temporary management of Kevin Nicholson and Jon Hill.

Jay Stansfield scored both goals in the win, his first two goals for Exeter since rejoining the club from Fulham; scoring just one minute into the game and early in the second half helped The Grecians to a comfortable victory.

Exeter have made a solid start to this season after being promoted from League Two and currently sit eighth in the table, just two points off the playoff places early on, with much of the credit for their success so far going to Jevani Brown.

Brown has clearly adapted well to life in League One, already matching his scoring tally of seven in the league from last season in just 11 games, whilst also picking up five assists, with him on track to match his tally of 12 assists from his previous campaign in League Two.

Picking up consecutive away victories will help ease the urgency of finding a replacement for Matt Taylor and ease the pressure on everyone around the club, with the players on the pitch continuing their fine form.

Charlton Athletic League One form:

L

D

D

L

D

D

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

D

D

L

D

L

D

Exeter City League One form:

W

L

L

W

D

W

Exeter City form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

W

W

Team News

Corey Blackett-Taylor returned to the squad and came off the bench in the game against Lincoln after being left out of the side against Oxford due to falling below certain standards, according to manager Ben Garner.

There have also been some questions surrounding the involvement of Jake Forster-Caskey as he has only appeared in cup fixtures so far this season, and as he was not involved in their last league fixture, it is unlikely that he will appear in this one.

Exeter named an unchanged team for the fixture against Barnsley and after a comfortable win in that one, there may be no need to change a winning formula, barring any late fitness concerns.

The Grecians have used a three-at-the-back formation throughout the season and their comfort with the system should put them at an advantage against a Charlton side who have been experimenting over their last few fixtures.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Sessegnon, O'Connell, Inniss, Egbo; Blackett-Taylor, Dobson, Fraser, Rak-Sakyi; Stockley, Leaburn

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Hartridge, Sweeney, Key; Sparkes, Collins, Harper, Caprice, Brown; Nombe, Stansfield

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-3 Exeter City

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