Taking a break from Sky Bet Championship football, Charlton Athletic start their FA Cup campaign with a third round FA Cup tie when hosting Premier League Chelsea.

After two tight league defeats for the Addicks, they have drawn their last two, one-one at home to league leaders Coventry City, then two all at Blackburn Rovers last Sunday. In the match at Ewood Park Charlie Kelman put Charlton ahead just before the half hour mark when following up after a Miles Leaburn header came back out off the bar.

Six minutes later, he doubled their lead from the spot following a foul on Lloyd Jones in the penalty area. However, Moussa Baradji pulled one back three minutes later, and earned the hosts a point when levelling with thirteen minutes remaining.

Nathan Jones, Charlton’s manager, may have a difficult challenge in preparing for the FA Cup game as it’s Liam Rosenior’s first match in charge at Chelsea so it will be difficult to know what the Blues’ line up will be and how they will play. 

In their most recent first team match, on Wednesday evening, they suffered a two-one defeat at Fulham. Their cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to ten men midway through the first half following the dismissal of Marc Cucurella. They fell behind ten minutes into the second half when Raul Jemenez scored for the hosts, however, Liam Delap equalised. There were nine minutes remaining when Harry Wilson scored the winner for Fulham.

At home, in front of their loud supporters, Charlton have won five, drawn three and lost three and it could be a difficult evening for Rosenior and his team. However, although he will enjoy the occasion, Jones’ priority is leading his team up the table and away from the bottom three so he may choose to rest players with niggles after the hective festive season.