Charlton Live’s LEWIS CATT looks ahead to this Saturday’s game with Leeds United.

After a heartbreaking defeat to Brighton at The Amex last Saturday, Charlton will host Leeds United at the Valley this Saturday (3pm).

 Charlton go into this weekend’s clash with Leeds on the back of a gutting 3-2 defeat having led 2-0 against Brighton last weekend and Karel Fraeye has a job on his hands to get his team prepared for the visit of Steve Evans’ men. The Addicks started last weekend’s game very positively scoring twice in the first five minutes. The main focus for Fraeye has to be getting the team fit to perform over the entire 90 minutes rather than fizzling out after half time.

A few positives can be taken from last weekend, for example how well we played on the counter against Brighton in the first half when we should have really been 3-0 up at the break. The fantastic Ademola Lookman has emerged in the last few weeks and looks as if he can be a real key member of the squad. The performances of Ricardo Vaz Te and Reza Ghoochannejhad can also be looked at as positives. However our inability to perform over 90 minutes is alarming. Yes we were not helped in the slightest by “card happy” Keith Stroud sending off Patrick Bauer but as a Charlton fan at half time I’m sure not many of us were 100% confident we would be leaving with all three points even at 2-0 up.

Onwards and upwards though and we now move our focus to Leeds United at The Valley at 3pm this Saturday.

Team News:

Charlton will be without the suspended BFG Patrick Bauer as he begins his two-match ban. Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Johnnie Jackson and Harry Lennon are all fit and should feature. Ahmed Kashi, Igor Vetokele and Cristian Ceballos all remain sidelined long term.

Our main issue will be filling the large gap left in defence with the absence of Patrick Bauer. Fraeye could form a youthful partnership between Naby Sarr and Harry Lennon, or he can call on experiences Alou Diarra from midfield. The attacking line of Lookman, Vaz Te and Ghoochannejhad looked threatening on the break last week and Charlton have Simon Makienok and Karlan Ahearne-Grant also available for selection should Fraeye decide to change the system.

Predicted XI:

Henderson, Solly, Diarra, Sarr, Holmes-Dennis, Gudmundsson, Cousins, Jackson, Lookman, Reza, Vaz Te.

The Opposition

Goals from Chris Wood and Tom Adeyemi gave Steve Evans’ side a great 2-1 win last weekend against promotion favourites Hull City but Evans believes his side cannot take Charlton for granted, as every game in the championship is unpredictable.

Leeds will be without captain Sol Bamba as the game comes just too soon for him but United do welcome centre back Gaetano Berradi back from suspension. Wood is expected to lead the line with Mirco Antenucci. Another player set to keep his place is loanee Liam Bridcutt who impressed last weekend against Hull and Player Of The Month nominee Alex Mowatt should join him in midfield.

Prediction:

I am not sure how I will ever survive if I have to write about Steve Evans taking the points home on Saturday so I am hoping and praying for a Charlton win.

I’m going to say 1-0 Leeds United at half time with Charlton to win 2-1 after the 90 mins.

You can follow Lewis on twitter – @LewisCatt9