Exeter City will be hoping to reduce the gap to the League One playoff places when they host Charlton Athletic at St James' Park on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are down in 15th place and will be looking to get back to winning ways after their three-game winning run came to an end last week.

Match preview

Jevani Brown scored in each half as Exeter ran out 2-0 winners at struggling MK Dons last Saturday.

Gary Caldwell's side were seeking to get back to the winners' enclosure against the Dons after their four-game unbeaten streak ended against Portsmouth on January 21.

Brown broke the deadlock from the spot nine minutes before the interval, sending Jamie Cumming the wrong way after former Dons frontman Sam Nombe was brought down by Zak Jules.

The striker doubled his tally midway through the second half as he latched onto Archie Collins's pass to fire home his 12th League One goal of the season.

That victory marked the Grecians first competitive away game win against MK Dons, after drawing one and losing five of their previous six visits to Stadium MK, and also leaves Exeter five points off the playoff places in 10th.

Caldwell's side now turn their attention to a Charlton side who have only won twice on their travels this season in 12 attempts.

Meanwhile, Charlton's three-game winning streak ended last time out against Bolton, as Aaron Morley and Dion Charles were on target for the Trotters in a 2-1 defeat at the Valley.

Albie Morgan found the back of the net for Charlton to equalise on the day, firing a low drive across Wanderers keeper James Trafford, but it did not count for anything in the end.

The Addicks had defeated Portsmouth, Lincoln City and Barnsley prior to that defeat to Bolton last weekend, so Dean Holden will believe that his side can get three points on their travels this Saturday.

After beginning his tenure with one point from his opening two games, Holden has now guided Charlton up to 15th in the league, which is impressive considering the Addicks ended 2022 with a three-point gap to the relegation zone.

The Addicks now sit nine points clear of the drop zone, and Holden will be eager to see his team extend that gap further here.

Team News

Josh Coley and Kyle Taylor were unavailable for the game against MK Dons due to injury issues, so they could be absent again for the hosts this weekend.

Gary Caldwell has said he is unsure of the extent of Jamal Blackman's hip injury, so Scott Brown could start between the sticks here.

James Scott and Kevin McDonald both signed for the Grecians on transfer deadline day, so the pair could make their debuts on Saturday.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Joe Wollacott, Mandela Egbo and Todd Kane due to injury issues.

However, the Addicks have been boosted by the return of Steven Sessegnon, who made the bench against Bolton last time out after suffering from a knee injury.

Galvin Kilkenny has joined Charlton on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the season, while Michael Hector also arrived on deadline day, so both could feature in Holden's squad this weekend.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Brown; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Collins, Kite, Sparkes; White, Brown; Nombe

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Inniss, Hector, Penney; Fraser, Dobson, Morgan; Rak-Sakyi, Bonne, Blackett-Taylor

We say: Exeter City 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Only four points separates these two sides coming into this clash, so we can see this being a closely-fought contest.

Charlton got the better of Exeter in the reverse fixture back in October, but the Addicks' away form leaves a lot to be desired, so we think the spoils will be shared.

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