It’s first versus third in League One on Monday night as Huddersfield prepare for what could be the biggest threat to their record-breaking unbeaten run in the form of Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks have been flying under Chris Powell this season and look on course for a return to the Championship. However, Huddersfield will be keen to pull them back into the play-off mix with a win in south-east London. Can the Terriers continue their remarkable run or have they finally bitten off more than they can chew?
These two clubs have been the success stories of League One this season, Huddersfield for their remarkable run of form and Charlton for the way they have taken the division by storm after a summer of drastic upheaval. Powell brought in 16 new players during the off-season, with 12 going the opposite way as he looked to make his mark on the Addicks. Having missed out on the play-offs last season the former Charlton defender looks as though he has finally turned around this sinking ship and is bringing it back from the depths.
Charlton are four points clear at the top of the table after 18 games, with 13 wins in that time. Their only defeat so far has come at the hands of Stevenage, who added the Addicks to their growing list of victims at Broadhall Way. At home, Charlton have been formidable, winning five and drawing three of their matches in front of their own supporters. The vastness of the Valley could have proven to be an issue for Powell, with some lower league clubs having struggled infront of big crowds in the past. However, the Valley has become a fortress, which in no small part is down to the goals of Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Reading must be kicking themselves after turning down the former Southampton and Manchester City goal-getter, Wright-Phillips having scored 14 in 17 appearances so far. Charlton are far from a one man team though, with Johnnie Jackson, Danny Hollands and Rhoys Wiggins all playing their parts in Charlton’s revival. However, the Addicks will have to do without Jackson on Monday due a hamstring injury, with new loan signing Hogan Ephraim poised to take his place.
Huddersfield look set to give a couple of new loan stars their first starts in the capital, with Jon Parkin and Alex Bruce part of Lee Clark’s squad for the trip south. Parkin could partner the Terriers top goalscorer, Jordan Rhodes, who has hit the back of the net 15 times already. The 21-year-old’s form has seen him called up to the Scotland squad, while Newcastle are ready to make a January bid for the young forward. Clark has already said Rhodes is going nowhere and will do well to keep him if Huddersfield are to finally escape League One.
The 2-1 victory over Notts County last week means Huddersfield have not lost in 43 regular league matches. However, the unbeaten run seems to been a millstone around the players necks and Clark might believe the sooner it is over the sooner they can focus on their number one goal, promotion.
Recent trips to the capital have been rewarding for Huddersfield, winning four of the last five. However, that run of results, along with their 43-game streak, could come to an end on Monday. Charlton are 11/8 for the win and that seems a great price, even given the quality of the opposition. If you fancy Huddersfield to cause an upset they are priced at 19/10, with the draw 23/10.
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The international break has seen England’s top two divisions take a break this weekend, which gives the lower leagues a chance to take centre-stage and a mouth-watering League One clash awaits on Monday evening as Charlton look to maintain their unbeaten start against Sheffield Wednesday at the Valley.