Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The match is a dead rubber, with neither side having anything to play for at this stage of the season, but they will still want to end the 2022-23 campaign on a positive note.

Match preview

Cheltenham have had a decent season, given that they may have had some concerns about being drawn into the relegation battle before the season began, currently sitting in 17th place, having acquired 53 points in 45 games.

The Robins are nine points clear of the bottom three, having picked up some important victories in recent weeks to secure their League One status for next season, most recently defeating Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 on their travels.

Aidan Keena scored a brace at Adams Park, with Alfie May also getting in on the act once again, scoring his 19th League One goal of the season, the fifth-highest total of any player in the division.

Goals have often been hard to come by for Wade Elliott's side this season, scoring just 43 up to this point, the fewest of any side outside of the relegation zone, so that is one aspect of their game they will need to improve ahead of next season.

It is the perfect opportunity for the Robins to sign off on a positive note, given that they have an almost impeccable record against Sunday's opponents, winning three and drawing one of the four previous meetings between the two sides.

Indeed, Charlton have a very poor record against Cheltenham, losing the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season, in what was just one of many disappointing performances at the Valley this season.

The Addicks also recently lost 3-2 at home against relegation-threatened Morecambe, although they did bounce back with a 3-2 victory of their own against Port Vale in their most recent match.

Those results sum up Dean Holden's sides' season, as they have really struggled with consistency, winning three and losing three of their last six matches, and they were on the receiving end of a particularly disappointing 6-0 loss against Ipswich Town during that run of games.

A very poor defensive record has also cost Charlton dearly this season, conceding a total of 64 goals, more than any other team in the top half, having kept just one clean sheet in their last six matches.

The Addicks are currently 10th in the standings, unable to finish any higher even with a victory on Sunday, and they could fall as low as 12th if they fail to win, if Lincoln City and Shrewsbury Town both pick up three points.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

L

D

D

W

L

W

Charlton Athletic League One form:

L

W

L

W

L

W

Team News

Charlton have confirmed that Macauley Bonne, Gavin Kilkenny and Matt Penney will not be involved on Sunday, as their time at the club is set to come to an end, and they were not required to attend training on Friday.

After the victory in their last match, Holden is unlikely to ring the changes, with the manager likely to implement a 4-3-3 system, with Tahvon Campbell and Jesuran Rak-Sakyi on either wing, playing provider for Miles Leaburn at striker.

As for Cheltenham, Liam Sercombe is unlikely to be involved, after hobbling off with an injury in the victory at Wycombe last time out, meaning Glen Rea should slot in at central midfield, alongside Elliot Bonds.

There could well be a number of teams interested in signing May this summer, given his exploits in front of goal, and he is set to lead the line for the final time this season, with the aim of breaking the 20-goal barrier.

Keena is likely to partner the 20-year-old, with Ryan Broom supporting from an advanced midfield role, in what should be a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Long, Taylor, Freestone; Jackson, Rea, Bonds, Ferry, Broom; May, Keena

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Hector, Terell, Sessegnon; Morgan, Dobson, Fraser; Rak-Sakyi, Campbell, Leaburn

We say: Cheltenham Town 2-2 Charlton Athletic

Cheltenham head into the game in good form, having comprehensively defeated ninth-placed Wycombe Wanderers in their last match, however they have won just one of their last four home games.

Considering just eight points separate the two sides in the standings, we expect the most likely result to be a draw, with both teams likely to get on the scoresheet, given Charlton's poor defensive record.

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