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2025-08-12 - Charlton Athletic vs Stevenage
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup First Round
Tuesday 12th August 2025 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Charlton Athletic
For almost twenty years, the Charlton Athletic story has been one that has been used as an example for fans of other clubs to be careful for what they wish were- Alan Curbishley had kept Charlton Athletic in the Premier League as a relatively safe mid-table club, but the fans wanted more and they were relegated at the end of the first season without the long-term manager in charge.
The Addicks have not been back in the top flight since the end of that 2007 season, although a new chapter is being written under manager Nathan Jones, who guided them out of League One via the Play Offs last season. A five year stay in the third tier has been ended and Charlton Athletic will be looking to consolidate on their return to the Championship.
Charlton Athletic beat Watford 1-0 this past weekend thanks to a late goal and that result means they have lost 1 of their last 12 games in all competitions and won 3 in a row by that same scoreline. The side have extended their unbeaten run to 17 games at The Valley and Charlton Athletic have won 13 of the last 14 played here.
Some of the squad members may be given a run out to ensure their own match fitness is up to scratch ahead of a long season.
Stevenage
This is a club that have not played higher than the third tier of English Football and so Stevenage's first aim at this level has to be consolidation. In saying that, they were close to finishing in the Play Off spots at the end of the 2024 season before slipping back to 14th last time around.
Alex Revell should be given credit for the job he is doing with his Stevenage players and there will be real excitement about the start made to the League One season. This has been a team that have been resilient and hard to beat, but Stevenage have perhaps shown a bit more in the final third and that could be a key factor in climbing the table.
Stevenage have won both opening fixtures against Blackpool and Rotherham United, two clubs who will have bigger ambitions than The Boro. The win at Blackpool is most impressive when you think Stevenage ended last season with a single win in 7 away games played and 4 of those had ended in defeat.
Head to Head
These two clubs were both playing in League One in the 2024/25 season and the home team won both fixtures.
Charlton Athletic beat Stevenage 2-0 at The Valley in the most recent of those matches and have won 2 of the previous 3 home games against this opponent.
Prediction
There were some reports that Nathan Jones could take over as manager of Cardiff City and return to League One following the successes with Charlton Athletic, but the manager instead reaffirmed his support for the club and the project they are undertaking.
He signed a five year contract extension and Jones could not hide his delight after Charlton Athletic made a winning start on their return to the Championship.
Consolidating in the League is the priority, but the manager will not want his team to lose focus or momentum even in the Cup ties they are playing.
The Addicks have been dominant at home for a number of months now and they can edge past Stevenage, despite the strong start Alex Revell's team have made to League One.
Changes to the home team starting line up have to be expected and that could break some rhythm, but Charlton Athletic have had all the answers over recent months and they may have a bit too much firepower for a stubborn opponent.
The Pick :
Charlton Athletic 1-0 Stevenage
