On Saturday afternoon Charlton Athletic host Burton Albion in their final Sky Bet Division One league match of the season.

However, as they are already guaranteed a play-off place, their campaign does not end there. Champions Birmingham City and runners up Wrexham, have already been promoted but there are just two points between the next three teams.

Stockport County and Wycombe Wanderers both have eighty-four points, and Charlton eighty-two. As Stockport and Wycombe are playing each other, it would need their game to end as a draw, and for the Addicks to beat Burton by at least six goals for them to finish in third place.

Last Saturday, Charlton were defeated three nil at Wrexham, conceding twice in the first eighteen minutes, and a third with five minutes left on the clock. That ended a six game unbeaten run, and was just their second defeat in fourteen matches. 

It has been a difficult season for Burton and a two-one victory over Cambridge United last Saturday, followed by a one-all draw with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening, mean that they go into the match at the Valley four points clear of the drop zone, so are safe from relegation.

At home, Charlton have been strong with fourteen wins, six draws and just two defeats. On the road, Burton have won five times, drawn eight, and lost nine. They have mid table current form with four wins and two draws in their last ten matches.

When the two teams met for their first encounter of the season, back in late November, it was a tight battle. There had been no scoring when Burton were reduced to ten men midway through the second half as a result of Charles Webster being shown a red card. The Addicks took advantage of their numerical supremacy when Conor Coventry netted the only goal with eight minutes remaining.

Even though it is unlikely that Charlton will finish third, Nathan Jones will still want his team to finish with a victory, and to take momentum into the play-offs.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.