League One Weekend Preview, Game 43

League leaders and Champions-elect Norwich City roll into the Valley on Saturday hoping to take a step nearer to confirming their promotion. Should Millwall fail to win on Friday evening at Huddersfield Town, a win for Norwich would see them promoted. 


However, Norwich are seven clear of the Lions in third with four to play and maintaining that gap with three left would probably be enough for Norwich who would then face the prospect of beating the side with the worst away record in the division at Carrow Road - the hapless Gillingham who face Leeds at the Priestfield on Saturday.


It looks like another very close contest and one goal either way may settle it again. "This is it now" must again be the mantra for the Addicks and another win should see us close in on Leeds and/or Millwall who must be odds-against both winning their respective away fixtures this weekend. 


Norwich will be given a large vocal backing and we have to match that, so I am hoping we can encourage 18,000+ Charlton fans to make the effort to be there and to urge their side on to another important victory. We were robbed at Norwich earlier in the season when they snatched a draw in added time, so we owe them one. Here's who else is playing whom...


Huddersfield v Millwall
The weekend kicks-off here when Sky Sports bring us coverage of this key match at the Galpharm Stadium. Huddersfield defend a strong home record and will be aiming to increase the three point margin they have over seventh-placed Colchester. Millwall rode their luck at Yeovil in the week with an equaliser in added time. They have dropped out of the top two and have every incentive here but they might just find Jordan Rhodes and co in too determined a mood.
Prediction; 2-0


Bristol Rovers v Brentford
Charlie McDonald has been scoring some important goals in recent weeks as Brentford look to finish the season on a high. Rovers themselves have bounced back in recent weeks and look like claiming a top ten place. Home advantage should be enough here.
Prediction; 2-1


Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
This should be a routine home win for the Cumbrians following their loss to Leeds on Tuesday. Oldham are six clear of the drop and will be hoping to secure their survival at home against Southend in a fortnight.
Prediction; 2-0


Charlton Athletic v Norwich City
Norwich will come looking to expunge the painful memories of their 4-0 tonking this time last year. They might just walk onto another right-hander. If we play with the right formation (left and right-footed wingers on the right side and Nicky bailey in the centre) and Deon Burton is fit enough to start, I think we are capable of beating Norwich with something to spare. My guess is Phil Parkinson will persist with one or more of his tactical preferences which will mean we need to squeak another result.
Prediction; 2-1


Gillingham v Leeds United
Gillingham are in trouble, make no mistake. With Tranmere playing Exeter at Prenton Park and a visit to Norwich to follow, the Gills know that this is as good a chance as they will get to keep daylight between themselves and League Two. I'm going to stick my head out here and suggest a draw, especially if Millwall fail to win at Huddersfield on Thursday night.
Prediction; 1-1


Hartlepool v Colchester United
The game looks up for Colchester. Should Huddersfield beat Millwall they will be six adrift of the play-offs with four to play. Hartlepool might just finish them off here.
Prediction; 2-0


Leyton Orient v Stockport County
Gereat win for the O's against Norwich in the week and they should be confident of going one better here against relegated County with a bigger winning margin.
Prediction; 3-0


MK Dons v Wycombe Wanderers
A bit of a derby here and Wycombe could be all but down if they lose as I suspect they will.
Prediction; 2-0


Southend United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Southend look like goners too, but they had another reprieve in the High Court this week and better news in terms of their survival prospects. They need a win here to keeps their hopes of League One football alive. I think they might just do it, knowing that they have Wycombe and Stockport yet to come.
Prediction; 1-0


Swindon Town v Walsall
Jittery Swindon are level with us on games and points but are five behind on goal difference. A must-win for them as they attempt to stay in touch with second. They needed a 94th minute own goal on Tuesday to scrape a point at home to Oldham but should go one better here.
Prediction; 2-1


Tranmere Rovers v Exeter City
Looks a home banker here. Exeter look safe although a win here would virtually guarantee it. Like a number of other sides in trouble, they might be focusing more on winning their home games to get the points they need.
Prediction; 2-0


Yeovil Town v Southampton
Heroic efforts from Yeovil on Tuesday only to robbed by a last gasp Millwall goal. Southampton will be very confident of closing the gap on Huddersfield (if they fail to beat Millwall), but this is another potential upset. I'd love to see it.
Prediction; 2-1


Keep the faith.