Jose Riga’s Addicks will be looking to secure their Championship status tonight against a thoroughly midtable Watford side. All three points tonight would mean certain survival for Charlton, who currently sit 19th in the table.
These two teams saw out a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, but much has changed since this fixture back in September of last year.
Charlton Athletic are now owned by Belgian businessman Roland Duchâtelet, with Head Coach Jose Riga having taken over first team responsibilities following the sacking of ex-Hornets defender Chris Powell as manager back in March.
Duchâtelet’s Charlton appear on the face of things to have a similar setup to the Pozzo family’s Watford. Where the Pozzo’s own Udinese and Granada in addition to the Hornets, Duchâtelet owns Belgian club Standard Liege, German side Carl Zeiss Jena and Spanish side AD Alcorcon.
The connections with Standard Liege in particular are clear for all to see. Jose Riga is Belgian-born and a former Standard Liege boss. Riga took Standard Liege to the last 16 of the Europa League in the 2011/12 season, and has also previously won the Belgian second division with R.A.E.C. Mons.
Charlton’s main problem this season has been scoring goals, having scored only 35 in their 44 games so far. Ex-Hornet Marvin Sordell will likely be the main attacking threat tonight, where he will look to add to his tally of eight goals – the most of any Addicks player so far this season.
Watford will want to end the season well despite being out of contention for a playoff position. With just one win from their last 18 games away from home, Sannino’s men will surely want to finish their campaign on the road with a little dignity.
Vital Quotes:
Beppe Sannino has recently spoken of the need to continue to work hard until the end of the season:
“The players are perfectly aware that the season finishes on May 3.
‘Until that date they must be professional and they must respect the people that come to watch us play. I am sure they will do that.
“Every player is under exam every game. These next two matches are important because we need to finish in a good way and we need to look at the players for next season.
“The assessment of the players is not just on these two games, I`ve been here since December so I`ve had time to do that.
“In these next two games I`m expecting good commitment and good performances.”
Addicks boss Jose Riga has rallied the Charlton fans ahead of the match tonight:
“My message to the fans tonight is clear. We need your support when the team is doing well, but even more so in the lower moments.
“We are coming from a difficult position because we are the only Championship team to have played as many matches as we have recently.
“We are also doing this with a lot of young players. They are learning, and sometimes they will make a mistake. That is when we must get behind them even more.
“The fans and the players this evening must have the same mindset. The sole focus can only be on Charlton and giving everything to the cause.
“The fans are a part of the team this evening as much as the players. If we all stick together then I believe we will be able to celebrate at the final whistle.”
Charlton Athletic Team News:
Rhoys Wiggins will miss the final two games of the season following an injury to his foot in Charlton’s recent defeat at the hands of Barnsley, with Morgan Fox likely to continue to stand in.
Chris Solly is a doubt, having played a full 90 minutes against Blackurn Rovers on Saturday. Should the right back miss out, Lawrie Wilson may replace him.
Jonathan Obika, who was rested for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Blackburn, may return up front alongside former Hornet Marvin Sordell.
Player to watch: Marvin Sordell
I have fond memories of Marvin Sordell. A precocious talent that unfortunately hasn’t lived up to earlier expectations, he has an eye for goal, and is an intelligent forward.
It may be a cliche to expect to concede at the hands of former Watford players, but in this case it is probably justified. Marvin Sordell is Charlton’s top goalscorer – even though he only has a meagre eight goals to his name so far – and he has netted twice in his last four games.
His movement and instinct in front of goal could cause us problems tonight.
Watford Team News:
Italian defender Gabriele Angella is back in the squad for this evening`s game, but fellow centre half Joel Ekstrand will miss out after injuring his ankle against Derby at the weekend.
Midfielder Lewis McGugan is a doubt with a knee injury possibly keeping him from the first team squad.
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Almunia remains out with an Achilles injury, with fans’ favourite Almen Abdi being forced to join him on the sidelines with a knee problem picked up prior to the Hornets’ defeat at Derby.
Marco Cassetti will sit out due to suspension following his dismissal against The Rams.
Forwards Fernando Forestieri and Chu-Young Park will both also be missing with toe injuries.
Player to watch: Troy Deeney
I may start sounding like a broken record if I keep having Troy Deeney as my key man for Watford, but Deeney really is absolutely key to the Hornets’ chances tonight.
The talismanic striker scored again against Derby on Saturday, and will want to finish the season strongly.
With 23 goals already, Deeney has had a fine season in a side that has been nothing if not consistently inconsistent.
Should Deeney’s workrate remain high for the duration of the game tonight, Charlton’s often weak defensive line should allow the number nine to eke out a few chances in front of goal.
Sannino’s high energy pressing style is also reliant on players like Deeney leading from the front, and so the likely captain of Watford tonight will need to be in good form if the Hornets are to play the game to plan and take all three points.
Match Prediction
It’s becoming farcical but…
Early Watford lead to be cancelled out some time in the late first or early second half. Late Charlton winner (probably through Sordell) to come no earlier than 88 minutes in.
Put the house on it!
Next Fixtures:
Huddersfield (H)
May 3, 12:15
