Two teams in the bottom half of the League One table will meet on Saturday when Lincoln City make the trip to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic.

The visitors are without a win in their previous four games in all competitions, meanwhile, the hosts kickstarted 2023 with three points.

Match preview

A 3-1 victory against Portsmouth was the ideal way for Charlton Athletic to kickstart their campaign with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Scott Fraser getting on the scoresheet as well as an own goal from Owen Dale.

The win helped them climb to 17th in the table, but the club do still remain only six points above the relegation zone which the team will be aware of.

Meanwhile, because the division is so tight at the moment a win could see them progress to 11th, which would also lead to them overtaking their opponents.

The Addicks have been a strong attacking threat at The Valley this season, scoring 22 times so far in the league.

However, they were not able to find the back of the net in the reverse fixture earlier this season as Charlton and Lincoln City battled out a goalless draw.

The visitors have drawn more games than any other team in the division this season, and their inability to kill off a game has been clear in their previous two matches.

Lincoln City have drawn their last two fixtures against Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town, which is something they will want to put behind them.

The Imps were left frustrated in their first match of the season though as they took the lead via Jack Diamond, only to be pulled back in the final 10 minutes.

Lincoln have managed to win more games away from home throughout so far, which is a positive, yet at the same time they have also lost more as well.

A defeat on Saturday would lead to Charlton overtaking them in the league table though, which is something the Imps will be wary of.

Team News

Charlton are currently dealing with several injury problems as Conor McGrandles is a long-term issue due to a muscle injury.

Eoghan O'Connell and Mandela Egbo are both sidelined as well, stretching the defensive options for the squad.

Jack Payne's attacking qualities in the attacking midfield area could be used as an option from the first minute this time around after being a substitute last time out.

There will be at least one change for Lincoln this weekend at the back due to Adam Jackson being sent off in their most recent fixture.

Meanwhile, Max Sanders will be hoping to be used in the starting XI this time around after appearing from the bench.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Lavelle, Inniss, Ness; Clare, Dobson, Fraser, Sessegnon; Payne, Leaburn, Rak-Sakyi

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Eyoma, Robson, O'Connor; Poole, Virtue, Sanders, Roughan; Mandroiu, Diamond, House

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Lincoln City

There is very little to separate these two teams in the league table right now, and that will be reflected in the game on Saturday.

It would not be a surprise to see them share the points, especially since that is something that each club has done a lot throughout the season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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