Charlton eyeing a cup shock in front of a bumper crowd at The Valley
Chelsea aiming to impress new boss Liam Rosenior following Enzo Maresca’s departure
Recommended bet: Chelsea to win & both teams to score
New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior watched from the stands as his team lost 2-1 at Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday, but he will hope to see more that pleases him when his side head across London for a potentially tricky FA Cup third-round clash with Championship Charlton on Saturday night.
The Addicks have slumped into a second-tier relegation fight in the last few months, but Nathan Jones’s side are guaranteed to put in a spirited performance in front of what will be a big crowd at The Valley.
The latest Charlton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
The Addicks remain without striker Matty Godden who has been a long-term absentee and still lacks fitness, while defenders Kayne Ramsey and Josh Edwards have also been ruled out.
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella is available for selection despite his red card in the midweek loss at Fulham and Rosenior has no fresh injury concerns, although Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined.
However, fringe players may get the chance to impress the new manager first following a relentless Premier League festive schedule.
The latest Charlton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Both teams have scored in nine of Chelsea's last 11 matches.
The Blues have won just two of their last 11 outings.
Charlton have kept just two clean sheets in their last 14 games.
The Addicks have lost two of their 12 home matches this season.
Chelsea have won on four of their last five visits to The Valley.
Five of the last six meetings have featured fewer than three goals.
The latest Charlton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
New Chelsea manager Rosenior will be expected to guide the Blues to challenge for all of football’s biggest honours after replacing Enzo Maresca this week and, after watching their winless run extended to six matches at Fulham on Wednesday, he has the chance to make an early mark by avoiding a FA Cup banana skin at Championship Charlton.
The ferocious pace of the Premier League means it is unlikely many of his star turns will feature from the off at The Valley, and it could be that their second-tier hosts manage to get on the scoresheet even if the Blues come through in the end.
Charlton have struggled after a bright start to the season, winning just one of their last 11 games, but the roof will be raised by a bumper crowd and Chelsea will have to be on their guard, especially from set-pieces where the Addicks often excel.
Class should tell in the end and Charlton probably do not have enough to win, but an away victory with both teams scoring could offer some decent value.
Back Chelsea to win & both teams to score at 9/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Charlton vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
