After three rounds of fixtures in the Championship, 11 sides are still unbeaten and two of them meet at The Valley on Saturday afternoon as Charlton Athletic host Hull City.

Hull are one of three sides setting the early pace on seven points, while Charlton have had back-to-back draws after an impressive opening-day win over fellow Londoners Queens Park Rangers.

Charlton

There is reason for optimism among Addicks fans after their start to the season. Newly-relegated QPR were brushed aside at The Valley before another convincing home win in the Capital One Cup first round over Dagenham & Redbridge.

Since then they have faced East Midlands duo Derby County and Nottingham Forest on the road and brought two points back to the capital, albeit in differing circumstances.

They rode their luck at Derby, but would have left with all three points from the City Ground but for an inspired goalkeeping display by Dorus de Vries.

Now they return home looking to extend their 100% start at The Valley with three of their next four league games in SE7. First they host another recent Premier League side in Hull before welcoming relegation candidates Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town in September after the international break.

The performances of Tony Watt have been a boost with Igor Vetokele unfit at the start of the season; only Kike of Middlesbrough has scored more and Watt has found the net with both of his shots on target this term. However, the former Celtic man could sit out here with a calf injury.

Guy Luzon's men currently sit in the playoffs and victory here over one of the five sides above them would really signal some intent for a surprise top-six push this season.

Recent form: WWDD

Hull

Ipswich Town have scored one more goal than Hull in their three games and that is the only thing keeping Steve Bruce's men off the top.

Of the three sides to drop down from the Premier League, Hull are the only one in the top half and with a seemingly favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, Bruce will feel confident of holding down their top-two place.

A calamitous error from goalkeeper Allan McGregor gifted Wolves an equaliser as Hull dropped their first points at the weekend, but they were soon back to winning ways thanks to Sone Aluko's late winner against Fulham last night, a goal that ended the forward's drought of almost 1,200 minutes stretching back to early December last year.

With Aluko, Chuba Akpom, Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez currently on the books, Bruce has confirmed that a move for Brentford's Andre Gray is off, but Chicago Fire's Shaun Maloney could still join the Tigers.

Only QPR won fewer away games than Hull last season and they have now won just two of their last 21 league games on the road after the draw at Wolves.

If the Tigers avoid defeat here, it will be the first time in 14 years that they have not lost in the first four games of a season.

Recent form: WWDW

Team News

After his red card on the final day of last season, Hernandez had been missing for Hull's opening three games but came straight back into the starting lineup against Fulham.

He took Nikica Jelavic's place alongside Chuba Akpom in attack and may continue, especially as Jelavic is said to be the subject of interest from Norwich City.

Bruce has plenty of options, but counterpart Luzon might be without some of his key men.

Watt is a doubt with the aforementioned calf complaint, while Chris Solly damaged his ankle against Forest and may also miss out.

Reza Ghoochannejhad took Watt's place at the City Ground, but he is now out for a month after damaging his knee.

Charlton possible starting lineup:
Pope; Charles-Cook, Diarra, Bauer, Fox; Gudmundsson, Cousins, Kashi, Ceballos; Ahearne-Grant, Makienok

Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Davies, Dawson, Robertson; Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Aluko; Akpom, Hernandez

Head To Head

These two sides have only been in the same division twice in the last 25 years, most recently in Hull's last promotion season three years ago.

The duo also met at The Valley in the opening month that season - a 0-0 draw - before Hull edged a close game 1-0 at the KC Stadium in their most recent encounter in February 2013.

Charlton have failed to score in their last two games against Hull, but they have never gone three without reply.

We say: Charlton 1-2 Hull

Charlton have scored in 10 of their last 11 games at The Valley, but Hull might just prove too strong as they chase top spot.