Charlton Athletic v Southend United
Football : England : Coca Cola League One
Saturday 5th December 2009 – Kickoff 15:00

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Charlton Athletic (2nd)

Charlton will be looking to make it eight wins at home this Saturday against unpredictable Southend United when the two sides meet at The Valley.

Charlton will also be hoping that Oldham can get something at Carrow Road, and create some breathing space at the top of the league.

The Addicks’ form has been has been good lately, stringing together a four match unbeaten run which has included two impressive home wins against play-off potentials MK Dons (5-1) & Bristol Rovers (4-2), and on Tuesday night they beat Brighton away 2-0 to keep the pressure on leaders Leeds Utd at the top of the table.

At home, Charlton have won their last three matches, scoring 11 goals in the process and their overall home record reads 7-2-0 21:8.

Only Huddersfield Town (31 goals) & Norwich City (24) have scored more home goals than Charlton.

Striker Deon Burton(9 goals and 6 assists) has rediscovered his form that once saw him plying his trade in the Premiership, and really deserves to be playing Championship football at least.

He’s backed up by midfielders Nick Bailey (6 goals), Lloyd Sam (4 goals) & Jonjo Shelvey (2 goals) as The Addicks plot a swift return to The Championship where they should rightfully be, with a view to challenging for Premiership football.

Southend United (13th)

Tonight’s visitors Southend United are a mixed bag to say the least; you never know which side are going to turn up if recent results are anything to go by – they beat MK Dons at home 2-1 and then go away to Tranmere and lose 0-2.

But it is their away form that we concentrate on right now, with the Shrimpers winniing only one of their last five away matches, that win coming at second-from-bottom Stockport County (2-0).

Southend have lost their last three matches away, scoring only one goal which was in the 1-2 defeat at Carlisle Utd.

However, Southend possess a real threat up front in the shape of striker Lee Barnard who has banged in 12 goals this term already, but he really needs support and the pressure on him to deliver each week I believe will take it’s toll eventually.

The Betting Verdict

If Charlton do have aspirations of Championship football, then this is the type of match the automatic promotion hopefuls really should put to bed.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Charlton to win at a generous 1.62 at bet365