The Valley, Tuesday August 19th, 7:45PM
Charlton form: (DWW)
Derby form: (WWD)
Charlton last starting XI (vs Wigan): Henderson, Jackson, Bikey-Amougou, Gudmundsson, Vetokele, Wiggins, Buyens, Solly, Cousins, Ben Haim, Tucudean
Derby last starting XI (vs Sheffield Wednesday): Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hughes, Hendrick, Bryson, Dawkins, Ward, Martin
Match odds (from William Hill): Charlton 12/5, Draw 11/5, Derby 6/5
- Derby have won 4 of the last 5 meetings and are unbeaten in the last 6 games between the sides. The Rams dominated the fixtures last season, winning both games to nil.
Charlton Athletic
Following a disappointing campaign that saw them finish 18th in The Championship, The Addicks appear revitalised under new manager Bob Peeters. After a Summer of upheaval that saw 16 players depart the club and 7 new arrivals (all on free transfers), Charlton have started the season with a bang, holding local rivals Brentford to a 1-1 draw away from home before battering Colchester in the cup and scraping past highly fancied Wigan Athletic 2-1.
Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson injured his hamstring during the victory against Wigan and will likely be replaced by Nick Pope.
Derby County
The Rams have started the season in a solid if unspectacular manner. A shaky opening day victory against Rotherham was followed by a 2-0 win away at Carlisle in the cup. Derby then travelled to Hillsborough where they held Sheffield Wednesday to a 0-0 draw.
George Thorne’s ACL injury seems to have seriously disrupted Steve Mclaren’s plans as he tries to work out which of his highly talented midfielders to play in the holding midfield role and which to leave on the bench. While Will Hughes has been solid in the position, Real Madrid loanee Omar Mascarell may well start against Charlton tonight. Derby expect Jake Buxton to be fit following a hip flexor.
Match prediction
Both teams have started well, and Derby’s defence has been particularly impressive. If any combination of Craig Bryson, Chris Martin or Simon Dawkins can recapture last season’s form that has so far eluded them in this campaign, Derby may be able to continue their recent dominance over the revitalised Addicks. The match should also set up an interesting battle of wits between the two managers as they face each other again in 8 days time in The Capital One Cup.
