Charlton Athletic vs WatfordSaturday 9th August 2025 - 12:30pm Kick-OffReferee: Stephen MartinIntroductionWhen the Addicks step out on to the pitch this coming Saturday, there will have been 76-days since they last kicked the ball in competitive anger... There will have been 1,844 days since we last kicked the ball in anger as a Championship side, yet the five years of hurt are about to come to an end. One of the Managers who relegated us back in 2020, has guided us back to the level that we belong at in 2025.
Buckle up people... This is about to become a very bumpy, but exciting ride over the course of the next 10-months.
The OppositionName: Watford - Manger: Paulo PezzolanoGround: Vicarage RoadLast Season: 14thFirst up, upon our return to the second tier of English Football (God it feels good saying that), is a London(ish) Derby with Watford.
Writing Match Previews at this time of the year is so very easy, given that I've absolutely to work with. Unsurprisingly, Watford come into the new season with a new Manager with Uruguayan: Paulo Pezzolano replacing Tom Cleverly in the summer... the 42-year old has primarily spent his career in South America, but moved to Europe in 2023 where he spent a year managing Real Valladolid in Spain. The fact he's not been in the managerial hot seat since November 2024 may raise some eyebrows, but since when have the Pozzi Family been known to back their Managers?
In terms of their summer and Watford have brought in a few faces that'll be familiar to Charlton with Goalkeeper: Nathan Baxter joining from Bolton, and Midfielder: Hector Kyprianou making the step up from Peterborough... Other names are a mystery to me, although Nestory Irankunda did join the Hornets for £4m from Bayern Munich - Friendlies have resulted in wins over Boreham Wood, and Deportivo La Coruna, whilst they've drawn with AFC Wimbledon, and our recent adversaries; Leyton Orient
The Addicks have been victorious at the Valley over Watford in our last two meetings in SE7, third time is a charm would be nice.
Charlton Team NewsWe all knew that this was a side that would need to strengthen if we were to stand a chance of survival this coming season. But no one expected what would transpire over the last month or so, what with the incomings that have been announced - It means that we've got the pleasurable experience of attempting to name a starting line-up that no one, bar one man, has a clue over ahead of this Saturday's opener.
However with the prospect of being able to name nine substitutes now that we're in the Championship, it'll certainly give us some depth, and some options from the bench each week now, and for this Saturday I'm going to name... Ibrahim Fullah, as the surprise inclusion in the match day squad, given the way that he's burst his way on the scene this summer.
Kaminski
Ramsay - Jones - Bell
Apter - Coventry - Docherty - Edwards
Carey
Olaofe - Kelman
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer - Gillesphey - A.Mitchell - Z. Mitchell - Costello - Anderson - Fullah - Campbell - Leaburn
Comments
6 new starters in that team.
Reckon Jones will sensibly assess it opposition by opposition, and use each game to our strengths e.g. there is no point playing two target men, if a Centre-Back against has history of loving a battle, yet is someone who hates facing pace etc.
Not sure if it’s just because I’m currently in Orlando and got stung but the parking at Asda for Saturday is £15 on just park, proper championship prices 😳
Maybe in for one of the Mitchell Brothers?
On the bench I can't see us having 3 CBs on there. NJ likes attacking game changing benches, last year with less subs we almost always had 3 strikers on the bench. One of the Mitchell's to miss out for another striker even if its Kanu or Mbick for this week. Can see Knibbs being on the bench and maybe getting 10 mins if needed as with 9 man bench can afford that luxury.
It's unusual to have so many players unavailable at this stage - possibly as many as 7 - although hopefully a couple of those will get some minutes against Stevenage next Tuesday.
Kaminski
Ramsay Jones Gillesphey
Apter Docherty Coventry Edwards
Carey
Kelman Olaofe
AMB, Z.Mitchell, Bell, Rankin-Costello, Anderson, Knibbs, Fullah, Campbell, Leaburn
Fully expect Ahadme and Kanu to depart, maybe as early as this week
2-1 to us with Olaofe nabbing a rebound goal and Kelman scoring a late penalty that Abankwah gives away
Knibbs to play some part during the 90+ mins, as will Fullah. The starting 11 however will be chosen out of a hat.
My prediction.....we will win. 2-1.
Compared to our record of won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2. Both of those losses coming away to Bury & Sunderland respectively, and of course, 8 of those 10 seasons being in league 1. We haven't lost an opening game at home for over 20 years (if I am not mistaken), which was to Manchester City in the 2003/04 season.
The positives are, we have a bit of momentum and have a bit of cohesiveness, whereas Watford fall into the same category for me as Stoke & QPR, mid sized clubs who have gotten a bit stale imo, without being rude.
I think it's a favourable opener for us. We are up against a bit of a disjointed side with a manager in Paulo Pezzolano that has never managed in the English leagues, without the most impressive CV except a stint at Cruzeiro where he boasted an impressive win rate of 53%, and Real Valladolid where he steered them to a 2nd place finish earning promotion back to La Liga.
I am going to say Watford will take time to find their feet and I am backing us to come out hot. A packed out optimistic Valley witnesses an opening day win.
2 nil Charlton, Apter and Kelman.