Plymouth Argyle v Charlton
Charlton head to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (3pm) knowing anything less than a win could effectively end the Addicks' slim play-off hopes.
Last weekend's last-minute 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Valley stretched Charlton's winless run to six league games and saw the Addicks slip down to 11th place in the Championship table.
But such is the topsy-turvy nature of the current campaign, a win at Home Park would potentially lift Alan Pardew's men back into the promotion equation.
While the final result will have ramifications for what lies in store in the final four games, however, the manager will also be keenly examining his side's performance after signs of improvement last weekend, particularly in the second half.
The Addicks thought they had snatched a point against the West Midlanders when on-loan striker Leroy Lita headed home Sam Sodje's pass for his first goal in Charlton colours, only for Karl Henry to put Wolves back in front just moments later, smashing substitute Kevin Kyle's cross past a helpless Nicky Weaver.
Earlier, Greg Halford, on loan from Sunderland, had scored his second goal in successive games to haul the Addicks level after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had fired Wolves into the lead.
But Ebanks-Blake scored a superb second to make it 2-1 for Wolves, before the dramatic last few minutes ensued.
Afterwards, Addicks boss Pardew admitted the loss had been 'difficult to take'. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Pardew said: "In the first half they got a good goal and we let it affect us. The crowd started to play a negative part for us and we were edgy for the rest of the half.
"But after half-time we were excellent, we addressed a few things, got rid of a few demons and really bossed the game. We created chances and two magnificent saves prevented us from taking the lead. I think if we'd taken the lead we'd have won it.
"We managed to get an equaliser and I would have taken a draw at that stage, but we chased those last five minutes and gave them the opportunity to win it, which they took.
"The last goal was a killer blow," added Pardew. "After Lita had scored such a fantastic equaliser, we could have gone away fairly happy. But we'll have to take that on the chin and go to the next game."
The defeat means the Addicks are now four points behind sixth-placed Wolves, who also have a game in hand, as do several other teams around Charlton.
But Pardew insisted his side can still earn a play-off place, stating: "In some ways we've had a season of inconsistencies in our play.
"We've bossed games and dominated possession but made errors at crucial times. The honesty and commitment of this team I don't think you can question, though.
"It looks very difficult that we're going to get in the play-offs, but we will be ready to take on Plymouth on Saturday and we'll be giving it as good a shot as we can to try and win it.
"We go to Plymouth and, while it's still mathematically possible, we'll give it a go. The league is so strange, you can't give anything up."
The opposition
At Home Park, Charlton take on a Plymouth side three places and two points ahead of them in the race for a spot in the end-of-season play-offs.
The Pilgrims dropped out of the top six last weekend when they slipped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to struggling Coventry City, Argyle's third loss in their last five games.
A Michael Doyle brace and a goal by Jay Tabb boosted Coventry's survival hopes, with Plymouth grabbing a late consolation through Steve MacLean's close-range shot.
Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock blamed the loss on himself after he made a host of changes to his starting line-up.
Sturrock, in his second spell at Home Park, said: "Sometimes managers have got to put their hands up. In the last couple of weeks I've felt there were certain things we had to change.
"We will work together next week and I will discuss the performance individually and as a team and then we will forget it."
The Pilgrims have lost four times at home this season, the last defeat coming in a 1-0 reverse to Sheffield United in March.
Tipped by some as relegation fodder last term, Plymouth actually looked like play-off contenders until their impressive run in the FA Cup took its toll on their league form.
In the end, they had to make do with 11th place, but having climbed to the play-off positions already this season, Sturrock will have ambitions to get his side back up there.
Pilgrims goalkeeper Luke McCormick has been a near ever-present this season, while defender Paul Connolly is as dependable as they come at this level.
Charlton fans will also be aware of Pilgrims centre-back Krisztian Timar - but for all the wrong reasons.
It was Timar's challenge on Svetoslav Todorov at The Valley in October that saw the Bulgarian rupture his anterior cruciate ligament and fracture his knee, ruling the Bulgarian out for the rest of the season. And it was Timar who also fouled Izale McLeod during the Charlton striker's loan spell at Colchester United last month to sideline the former MK Dons forward for nine months.
In midfield, James Paterson is a recent arrival from Motherwell, while Gary Teale joined in a loan switch from Derby County in January.
Up front, MacLean, signed from Cardiff City at the turn of the year, can cause plenty of problems, while Wales international Jermaine Easter - who scored the winner at The Valley in December 2006 as Wycombe Wanderers stunned the Addicks in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup in what was arguably the nadir of last season - has also chipped in with six goals.
Argyle are still not sure whether star midfielder Peter Halmosi will be fit for the clash with the Addicks. Halmosi suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw against Watford at Home Park on March 22nd.
The 28-year-old was carried off after injuring his left knee in a tackle on Watford's Matt Sadler, which also led to him being shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
Halmosi was suspended for Argyle's 3-1 defeat at Coventry on Saturday, but would not have been fit enough to play anyway. But there is a chance the Hungary international could recover in time to face Charlton.
Argyle are also hoping striker Rory Fallon will be fit. He suffered an ankle ligament injury against Watford and sat out the defeat to Coventry.
Plymouth will also introduce a supporters' exclusion zone around the away dug-out for the first time on Saturday.
They have taken the action following ugly scenes during the draw with Watford. Two Argyle fans have been banned indefinitely by the club for allegedly making racist remarks towards Watford players and staff.
Past meetings
Plymouth - then managed by Ian Holloway - earned a 2-1 win over the Addicks at The Valley back in October after a fractious affair.
An own goal from McCormick was sandwiched between efforts from visiting strikers Ebanks-Blake and Barry Hayles, all in the first half. It was to be the first of three goals Ebanks-Blake would score against Charlton this season for two different clubs.
Indeed, Charlton fans may also recall the powerful hitman helping Manchester United's U18s defeat their Addicks counterparts in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2002/03.
Before then, you have to go back to April 1992 for the last meeting between the teams - a 0-0 draw in the (old) Division Two at Upton Park, a game in which Pardew featured in the Charlton midfield.
Charlton had won the Home Park fixture 2-0 earlier that season in September through Darren Pitcher and Garry Nelson strikes.
The first clash between the teams came in the 1921/22 campaign when Plymouth earned a 3-0 win over the Addicks in the Division Three (South).
The head-to-head count could hardly be closer - in all competitions, since 1922, Charlton have won 23 games to Plymouth's 25, with the other 12 clashes being drawn.
Team news
Pardew is unlikely to tinker with his side too much against the Pilgrims. Charlton may have lost to Wolves but they produced a much-improved display - in the second half especially - to give Addicks fans some hope for the last five games.
Madjid Bougherra is itching to return, having been sidelined since the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in September with a foot injury, so could come into the defensive frame. Sam Sodje sustained a knock to his head in training on Thursday, but is expected to be available.
Fulham loanee Lee Cook impressed as a second-half substitute against Wolves and could come in on the left flank, in which case either Jerome Thomas - who left the pitch last Saturday in the second half due to cramp, having been unwell earlier in the week - or Darren Ambrose could start on the right.
Jose Semedo and Matt Holland could again be retained ahead of Zheng Zhi, who was struggling with a heavy cold this week, in the centre of midfield, unless Pardew opts for a 4-5-1 formation which he has deployed away from SE7 on several occasions this season.
But with Chris Iwelumo and Lita forming a decent partnership against Wolves, Pardew may stick with a 4-4-2 line-up. Andy Gray is doubtful due to a heavy cold, but Lita should recover from a minor head injury in training on Thursday.
Tickets
Charlton have been allocated around 2,000 seats for the match, of which 880 had been sold by the end of Wednesday. The remainder will be available from the Home Park turnstiles in advance of kick-off on the day.
Seats are priced £22 adults, £15 over 65s and U23s, and £6 U18s. Wheelchair supporters should contact Plymouth direct on 0845 338 7232 to book their places.
Click here for details of Valley Away pick-up points and times, and to book, with the fare £15. Fans can also book by calling 0871 226 1905.
Other Championship fixtures (3pm unless stated):
Colchester United v Ipswich Town
Norwich City v Burnley
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End
Scunthorpe United v Sheffield Wednesday (12pm)
Sheffield United v Leicester City
Southampton v Bristol City
Watford v Coventry City
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