MATCH PREVIEW: Charlton Athletic vs Sheffield United - Saturday 17th January 2026 - 3pm Kick-Off
Charlton Athletic vs Sheffield United
Saturday 17th January 2026 - 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Oliver Langford
Introduction
Charlton return to League action this coming weekend having had the welcome reward of a Cup distraction against one of the biggest sides in the world. Unsurprisingly we weren't able to cause an cupset, but if the Addicks put in the performance we saw that day, for the rest of the season, well then survival shouldn't really be much of a problem. This Saturday though Charlton will go looking for their first win in 2026 knowing that we came so close in our last Championship fixture up at Blackburn, that day we were frustratingly pegged back, especially after taking a two goal lead. With reinforcements incoming though, lets hope that this Saturday yields a more positive outcome.
The Opposition
Name: Sheffield United (16th) - Manager: Chris Wilder
Ground: Bramall Lane
Previous League Result: Sheff Utd 3-1 Leicester
Next up for the Addicks is a double header at the Valley this coming week, with heavily underachieving: Sheffield United first up.
Having lost in the Play-Off Final, you'd have expected Sheffield United to come out of the blocks in similar fashion to League Leaders; Coventry City. However the needless decision to replace Chris Wilder has no doubt cost the Sheffield United owners at least one further year at this level. Instead they tried to be clever, hiring Rubén Sellés, whose tenure in charge of the Blades was nothing short of disastrous, he was sacked after just five games, and Chris Wilder made a less than triumphant return, losing 1-0 in his very first game courtesy of a Tanto Olaofe late winner.
Since that match, and you'd have expected Wilder to have worked his magic, with Sheffield United rising quickly up the League table, but that didn't immediately happen, they picked up just three wins in x games after our trip to Yorkshire, but then I guess it took Wilder time to undo the damage that had previously done. Because since 23rd November we've seen a drastic improvement in the Blades results, they've lost just twice, drawing the once... Their seven wins, aided by the incoming Patrick Bamford (he has five goals in ten games) has resulted in Sheffield United moving away from the relegation battle, albeit they still sit just three points above the Addicks going into this Saturday's clash.
Charlton Team News
The one disappointment from the clash with Chelsea wasn't the result, I suspect many fans had the feeling that we could lose by such a margin, but instead was the fact that we lost Amari'i Bell to further injury, with the Defender hobbling off the pitch with another hamstring injury. Tyreece Campbell also departed that game, but his departure from the action last Saturday doesnt appear to be a similar concern.
Thankfully we're into the January Transfer Window now, and can start finding reinforcements... Naturally we're all going to want a new Left Wing-Back, but whilst we wait for the right player to become available, we've at least been able to call upon Harry Clarke from Ipswich and Lyndon Dykes from Birmingham... Both will be welcome additions to the club, especially if they can help us avoid relegation and will surely go straight into the match day squad this coming weekend. On the injury front, we were without Kayne Ramsay, Reece Burke and Matty Godden last Saturday, given recent news from the club, its possible all three could make a return in the coming week, with Josh Edwards likely to return in February.
Kaminski
Burke - Jones - Gillesphey
Bree - Coventry - Costello - Clarke
Berry
Kelman - Leaburn
Substitutes Bench: Mannion - Apter - Gough - Carey - Docherty - Campbell - Godden - Dykes - Knibbs
Comments
-
Great preview as per FA...
Got to be a comfortable 4-0...
Godden with a hat trick would be nice...5 -
Battling home win 2-1.4
-
My 14th attempt at seeing a Charlton win this season ( I’ve somehow managed to miss all 5 home wins )
2-1 ….. maybe0 -
One win from 11 and now the first of 3 home games in the next 5 league matches.
Jones bemoaned that we had 3 away games over the Christmas and New Year period. Well now we have home advantage starting tomorrow and a prime opportunity to start picking up some points at home.A tough fixture against a good side in the League and in my opinion one we need something from to build on to Tuesday night v Derby.6 -
COYR2
-
Think I might have to miss (most) of this one sadly.
They love a set piece goal but we usually defend set pieces well. For me this game comes down to how the left side of our defence sets up. If TC is back we will lack some defensive skill but be able to get up the pitch, if Ramsay plays LWB we'll be more solid but have less attacking options. Certainly don't see Clarke playing there (sorry FA).
Going to say we score a late goal from a corner with the height of Jones, Gillesphey, Knibbs and Dykes in there making it an impossible marking job4 -
fenaddick said:Think I might have to miss (most) of this one sadly.
They love a set piece goal but we usually defend set pieces well. For me this game comes down to how the left side of our defence sets up. If TC is back we will lack some defensive skill but be able to get up the pitch, if Ramsay plays LWB we'll be more solid but have less attacking options. Certainly don't see Clarke playing there (sorry FA).
Going to say we score a late goal from a corner with the height of Jones, Gillesphey, Knibbs and Dykes in there making it an impossible marking jobWow... Feeling a bit betrayed by you now... Who would have thought!! - Et Tu Fen?Left Wing-Back (along with Right Centre-Back, wont be surprised if we see Clarke or Gough there) definitely feels the hardest area of the pitch to predict at the momentI solely went with Clarke at Left Wing-Back, as remember reading that he's someone who can play across the entirety of the back line, and will be better defensive cover than Campbell... Ramsay would be my ideal pick, but am a bit cautious when adding injured players to the "line-ups" I'd be surprised if Godden is back already as well for example, and imagine Olaofe will replace him there.5 -
A series of Charlton disappointments are crystallising around this fixture and should go on to define the rest of January; No new left back, Godden fails to impress on re-emergence, Dykes rusty and ineffective, 0-3 win to the Blades.2
-
I fear a Gillesphey/TC left side will be an open door for Sheff U. I hope NJ knows something we don't about who can play there instead.swords_alive said:A series of Charlton disappointments are crystallising around this fixture and should go on to define the rest of January; No new left back, Godden fails to impress on re-emergence, Dykes rusty and ineffective, 0-3 win to the Blades.7 -
Great preview as always FA.
Its getting to the stage where we really need a couple of wins to steady the ship.
I won't call this a must win game as it seems to upset some on here.
But if we are to survive this season then our home form will be crucial in doing so.
4 points from our 2 home games this week would do for me.10 -
Sponsored links:
-
I want to be positive but that starting 11's a worry. I foresee an afternoon of hit and hope punts up to the big man and if we're very lucky nicking a result but it's such an obvious tactic that Wilder's bound to be prepared for. 2-0 United.5
-
I worry about Bamford's mobility and guile against our back 3 and their TC if he plays on their right could cause us problems esp if Gillesphy plays?
If we can get up the pitch using TC or manage some decent dead balls into the box then 1-1 will have to do.......
Tough match this.1 -
Please not Berry to start. Other than that 2-1 win, Kelman & Dykes.9
-
- Charlton Athletic have won three of their last five league games against Sheffield United (D1 L1), including a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane this season.
- This is Sheffield United’s first visit to Charlton in the league since a 1-1 draw in League One in November 2016, while in the Championship it’s their first since a 5-2 win in November 2008.
- Charlton Athletic are one of only two sides, along with Sheffield Wednesday, who’ve faced more shots than they’ve had themselves in all three game states in the Championship this season: when drawing (72), losing (8) and winning (30).
- Sheffield United have won seven of their last 10 Championship matches (D1 L2) – since the date of the first game in this run (23 November), the Blades have won the most points of any side in the division (22).
- Patrick Bamford has scored six goals in 11 appearances in all competitions for Sheffield United – since his debut for the Blades, the only Championship players with more goals are Jovon Makama (9) and Morgan Whitaker (7) across all competitions.
6 -
Theyre doing so well now and us not so much, so i think we are due a 4-1 win.1
-
I really hope I don't have to watch Gillesphy and Berry in the starting XI10
-
I think Clarke will be on the bench, NJ said he would need to be careful with his minutes to begin with. The Ipswich reporter that Rich Cawley was talking to about Clarke said he definitely wouldn't play him as a LWB so will be interesting to see where he plays.1
-
We desperately need a win. 2-0 to the Addicks0
-
Sponsored links:
-
I think Ramsey will start instead of Gillesphey, with Burke playing on the left side. I'd rather have Knibbs or Carey than Berry from the start.
Tough game, so will be happy with a point.
COYA!3 -
If no berry and docherty then we win2
-
Berry cant start..isnt athletic enough.
Rather Gillesphey didnt start but could just be needs must.
Like most are saying, we need a win. Think we can nick it like we did at there place but need to be at it for 90 minutes.
1-1 late goal for us. Dykes.2 -
Really, FA? Berry? Have you lost all touch with reality?4
-
Oh dear FA, you do seem to have started a real debate don't you...😂1
-
FA loves the controversyeastterrace6168 said:Oh dear FA, you do seem to have started a real debate don't you...😂1 -
A must win.0
-
wolfgang said:Really, FA? Berry? Have you lost all touch with reality?We've not lost the last two games that Berry has started... and given the improvement over the last three games (if you include the effort shown at Pompey), I think Nathan will be loath to make many changes.. the only ones being enforced.Its certainly not really been working for Carey / Knibbs of late - I remind as well that the Line-Up I usually post on the Preview, is what I think we'll see unless I state otherwise... Not what I'd choose.4
-
ForeverAddickted said:wolfgang said:Really, FA? Berry? Have you lost all touch with reality?We've not lost the last two games that Berry has started... and given the improvement over the last three games (if you include the effort shown at Pompey), I think Nathan will be loath to make many changes.. the only ones being enforced.Its certainly not really been working for Carey / Knibbs of late - I remind as well that the Line-Up I usually post on the Preview, is what I think we'll see unless I state otherwise... Not what I'd choose.
...😉
4 -
We either play a team with a new manager or a team on form … but we already beaten them
up there so a point tomorrow will be a excellent 4 points out of 6 v Sheff Utd ….
Team for tomorrow
Kaminski
Burke
Jones
Ramsey
Clarke RWB
Bree LWB
Coventry
Doc
Costello
Dykes
Kelman
Draw 1-14
