MATCH FACTS: CHARLTON VS CARDIFF

Cardiff City are London bound this Boxing Day as they travel to face Charlton Athletic. City will be looking to return to winning ways against a team who have also slumped in recent games. Both teams have 30 points and the same goal difference so it could prove to be a tight affair on Friday afternoon.

With eight goals for the Addicks this season, the Angolan international stands out as one of Charlton’s key players. Vetokele has gone five games without a goal but he could hold the key to ending Bob Peeters' winless run. When the Belgian born striker has scored this season Charlton have not lost and his last goal came in their last win, a 1-0 triumph over Reading back in November. Last season Vetokele netted 13 times for FC Copenhagen helping the Danish side to a second place finish in the Superliga and his contribution will be key in Charlton’s bid to rise up the Sky Bet Championship table.

Along with Andre Bikey, Jordan Cousins is Charton’s leading appearance maker with 24 appearnces in all competitions, featuring in every league game so far this campaign. Despite being just 20 years old, Cousins has been part of the Charlton Athletic set up since 2006 as he was part of the youth system before his rise to the first team. In his second season with the senior squad he leads the way when it comes to assists as well as with appearances. The talented midfielder has contributed 4 assists as well as popping up with two goals in the Championship. The England U21 international is one of the first names on the team sheet for Peeters and will be one to watch in a midfield battle that could be the deciding factor in what is sure to be a tight affair at the Valley.

Brentford entered Christmas in third position in the Sky Bet Championship after edging out Cardiff City in a 3-2 win in the Welsh Capital. Craig Noone and Kenwyne Jones scoring the Bluebirds’ goals.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Fabio (John), Ecuele Manga, Turner, Brayford, Harris, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Noone, Macheda (Jones), Le Fondre. Subs Not Used: Moore, Connolly, Adeyemi, Ralls, Morrison

Charlton Athletic extended their winless run to five games as they went down 2-0 at Ewood Park last Saturday. Two goals in the first 20 minutes from Jordan Rhodes was enough to send Blackburn into eighth position and Charlton one place behind Cardiff down in 12th. 

Charlton Athletic: Pope, Gomez, Ben Haim, Bikey Amougou, Fox (Wilson), Buyens, Solly, Cousins (Bulot), Berg Gudmundsson, Harriott (Pigott), Vetokele. Subs Not Used: Onyewu, Tucudean, Ahearne-Grant, Etheridge

Despite the last encounter between the two teams being a goalless draw it is a game that will stick in the minds of all City fans. The 0-0 draw ensured the Bluebirds’ promotion to the Premier League. The point at home to the Addicks was enough to see City promoted with three games still remaining in the season. Cardiff showed little sign of nerves in a game that saw very few chances and as they returned to the top flight after a 51-year wait.

 

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Turner, Barnett, Kim, Noone (Smith), Gunnarsson, Mutch, Gestede, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Lewis, Nugent, Whittingam, Cowie, Conway, Mason.

Charlton Athletic: Hamer, Morrison, Wiggins, Solly, Dervite, Hughes (Gower), Jackson, Pritchard (Green), Harriott, Kermogant, Fuller (Obika). Subs Not Used: Button, Taylor, Wilson, Kerkar.