Preview: Charlton v Owls

Wednesday will be looking to put their poor away form to bed - and will be looking for a smoother trip to Charlton than they did before the 6-0 drubbing against Reading the last time they were on the road.

Wednesday have suffered heavy defeats away from home this season - 4-1 at table-topping Wolves and 6-0 against the Royals more recently, and Owls boss Brian Laws will no doubt be pleased with a point from the trip to London this weekend.

But Alan Pardew's Addicks will be looking for three points that could shoot Athletic in to the top six should other results go their way.

Charlton legend Derek Hales told the Addicks' website:

'I think we will win reasonably well but Wednesday will be keen to tighten up at the back after losing 6-0 in their last away game at Reading.'

He added: 'I didn't really play too many times against Wednesday and although they've fallen from grace a bit over the last few years, they're still a big club with a lovely old ground.'

Charlton return to home soil following an impressive run of two games without defeat on their travels, and will be looking to bag all three points at The Valley.

Pardew will need to change his options at the back with injuries to Jonathan Fortune and Martin Cranie recently, with Kelly Youg or Linvoy Primus likely to take their place at the back.

Former Blade Andy Gray is sure to get a hot reception from the travelling Wednesday fans, and is likely to return to the starting line-up alongside Luke Varney, while former Owls loanee's Lloyd Sam and Wednesdayite Nicky Weaver will also play.

The youngster has been impressive form for the Addicks this season and his tricky on the Charlton wing will no doubt prove a tough task for the Owls' full-backs to contend with.

Wednesday boss Brian Laws will have a number of selection problems ahead of the trip to London.

Mark Beevers and Francis Jeffers will both be in Laws' plans, with Beevers missing the last two matches through injury, while Jeffers has been stepping his return to full fitness up with appearances in the first team and reserve team.

It's likely the duo will be on the bench at least, while Deon Burton could also be joining the duo after struggling to find the back of the net at the start of the season.

Laws told the Sheffield Star: 'He's not quite at the races at the moment; I think that's purely down to the fact that he hasn't scored a goal,' Laws said. 'He needs to start producing the football we know he is capable of. He's another player we have to look at very closely.'

Winger Wade Small will also be pushing for a recall to the starting eleven after working his way back from injury, although Laws is likely to stick with the same starting eleven that drew 0-0 with Ipswich at the weekend.

The Jamaican attacker has been a key figure for Wednesday in their new-look 4-3-3 formation in recent matches, and will be relied upon once again to work tirelessly in attack.

Head-To-Head:

Charlton wins: 15
Wednesday wins: 16
Draws: 10

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 0-0 Charlton

Hillsborough, 12/02/08

There was no separating both sides at Hillsborough earlier this year, but the reverse clash at The Valley saw Charlton come from 2-0 down at the break to win 3-2 in dramatic style.

Previous Line-Ups:

Charlton: Weaver, Cranie (Semedo 86), Fortune (Ambrose 59), Hudson, Youga, Sam (Gray 72), Bailey, Holland, Basey, Bouazza, Varney.
Subs Not Used: Elliot, Dickson.

Wednesday: Grant, Spurr, Gilbert, Wood, McMahon, Watson, McAllister (Jeffers 83), Esajas (Burton 61), O'Connor, Tudgay, Johnson (Small 79). Subs Not Used: Smith, Clarke.

v Nottingham Forest (H) - 30/09/08

v Plymouth Argyle (A) - 04/10/08

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco