CHARLTON ATHLETIC v ROCHDALE
Football – England – League One
Tuesday 21st February 2012 – Kickoff: 1500hrs

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Charlton Athletic will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in League One to six matches when they entertain lowly Rochdale at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.

This game is rescheduled after being postponed on February 4th.

Charlton Athletic (1st)
HOME : 9-5-0 30/10

This recent run of form has seen Charlton record wins over Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Exeter City along with a draw against Bury as the London club are currently ten points clear of second placed Huddersfield Town and promotion up to the Championship is theirs to lose.

The Addicks’ home record stands at 9-5-0 30/10 and they remain unbeaten on home soil. Their defensive record is second to none in this division too which has helped lift them to their current position; they’ve also kept six clean sheets, most notably against Sheffield United, Huddersfield, Carlisle United and Bournemouth.

Leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips (12 goals, 7 assists) was rested for the Bury match but even if he is rested again for this match Charlton possess plenty of firepower; midfielder Johnnie Jackson (9 goals, 5 assists), forward Yann Kermorgant (7 goals), midfielders Danny Hollands (6 goals, 4 assists) and Dale Stephens (4 goals) along with new signing striker Leon Clarke signed from Chesterfield.

Rochdale (23rd)
AWAY : 2-3-10 10/28

Sorry Rochdale go into this match on the back of a rare 3-0 win over Bury which halted a run of nine matches without a win but this was at home against a Bury side who have won just once on the road in their last five.

Dale’s away form stands at 2-3-10 10/28, with only Wycombe Wanderers (30 goals) and Chesterfield (31 goals) conceding more on their travels. No wins in their last five away from home though could spell trouble for the relegation-threatened Rochdale.

Forward Ashley Grimes (7 goals, 2 assists) is their danger man along with Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro (3 goals, 1 assist) and midfielder Gary Jones (4 goals) while Nicky Adams has chipped in with 4 assists.

Updated Notes

Since 4th Feb, Charlton have beaten fellow promotion hopefuls MK Dons 2-1 and drew at Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 1-1 to remain top of League One six points ahead of Sheffield United, while Rochdale continued their losing streak on the road with a 0-1 loss at Scnthorpe United, but did get a surprise home win over Bournemouth on Saturday;

The Betting Verdict :

Quite simply, Charlton have assembled a very strong squad with plenty of depth at their disposal and this should see them through against a poor Rochdale outfit.

Nothing changes my original pick for this match either and I'll back Charlton to cover the handicap here in what should be a comfortable home win

The Addicks to cover the handicap here comfortably in a 3-1 win.

The Pick :

Chalrton 3-1 Rochdale

HANDICAP BETTING :

Pick :
Take Charlton Athletic AH-1 @ 1.79 at Pinnacle