Charlton Athletic welcome Blackburn Rovers to The Valley on Saturday afternoon after opening up a six-point gap between themselves and the Championship relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Blackburn make the long trip to London having won three of their last five outings at the second tier, keeping the club in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Match preview

After a run of just one win from 17 matches, Lee Bowyer would have feared for both his job and Charlton's future in the Championship.

However, a return of seven points from four games, which includes wins over Barnsley and Nottingham Forest, has moved the Addicks clear of the dropzone.

Although Sabri Lamouchi dominated the headlines for naming a weakened Forest XI, Bowyer deserves praise for naming two in attack - a decision which ultimately paid off, with Lyle Taylor getting on the scoresheet.

The result at the City Ground puts Bowyer in a position where he can now encourage his side to play with freedom in their upcoming games, many of which are against out-of-form opponents or teams in close proximity to them.

Tony Mowbray may ask the same of his Blackburn side after they ended a two-game winless streak with a convincing victory over Hull City on Tuesday night.

Picking up just one point from meetings with Middlesbrough and Fulham had resulted in Rovers dropping back down into midtable, but the success against the Tigers keeps the club as outsiders for the playoffs.

Given the quality above them, few will expect the Lancashire-based outfit to become a factor in the top six, although that is something which may play into their hands.

In the absence of Bradley Dack, much could depend on whether Adam Armstrong is able to continue his excellent return for the campaign, with nine goals and six assists coming from 32 outings.

None of his teammates have netted more than three times, putting the onus on the former Newcastle United man to inspire his side over the coming months.

Charlton Athletic Championship form: DLDWLW

Blackburn Rovers Championship form: DWWDLW

Team News

Despite the success at Forest, Bowyer could tinker with his Charlton side for this contest.

Macauley Bonne is an option in attack after returning to the squad in midweek, while Jonny Williams may come back into a five-man midfield.

However, veteran Darren Pratley and Aston Villa loanee Andre Green are expected to miss out through injury.

Blackburn's Sam Gallagher is struggling with a groin injury, meaning that Danny Graham could get the nod as the lone central forward.

Ben Brereton is pushing for a recall on the right flank at the expense of Elliott Bennett, but Joe Rankin-Costello misses out with a hamstring problem.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Pearce, Lockyer, Sarr; Matthews, Davis, Cullen, Williams, Purrington; Taylor, Bonne

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Walton; Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bell; Travis, Johnson; Brereton, Armstrong, Downing; Graham

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Both of these teams will fancy their chances of victory at the weekend. However, with each club having impressed of late, we feel that they could cancel each other out, which would benefit Charlton more than the visitors.