Charlton v Wycombe
After last season's hugely disappointing campaign, a new slate and a new season begins on Saturday (3pm) when Wycombe Wanderers head to The Valley.
Two relegations in three years may still be hurting Charlton fans, but that needs to be forgotten about as the Addicks begin their first season in the third tier of English football since the 1980/81 season.
Back then, Charlton earned promotion at the first time of asking and, backed by nearly 10,000 season-ticket holders, the Addicks will be hoping for the same outcome this time around.
Despite relegation, Charlton have held on to the majority of their key players ahead of the new term, with Phil Parkinson also strengthening his defence with the signings of Miguel Llera, Frazer Richardson and Christian Dailly.
The Addicks have also fared well in pre-season and while managers insist the results of the summer sharpeners are not important, Charlton have only lost twice, both times when fielding a youthful side.
It promises to be an exciting campaign in SE7. There may be occasions when the football will not always be pretty but at a time when optimism is high, Charlton will be hoping to get off to the best possible start this weekend as they begin the season against a newly-promoted side for the third year in a row at home.
The opposition/past meetings
Promoted from League Two last term, Wycombe manager Peter Taylor protected most of his squad by leaving them out of Tuesday night's pre-season friendly at Marlow.
Forwards George Daly and Dan Fitchett featured, but a more youthful line-up started the match with Taylor desperate to avoid any more injuries before the game with the Addicks.
Tommy Doherty, Ian Westlake, Lewis Hunt and Lewwis Spence are among Taylor's walking wounded and are unlikely to appear in the season-opener at The Valley.
Taylor stated: "We've got nine injuries in a squad of 20-odd. I hope we don't pick up any more or we will be struggling."
Midfielder Matty Bloomfield is confident of being in the line-up for the date with the Addicks, though, after an injury-plagued season last term.
He said: "I hope I start. I'm very happy with how pre-season has gone for me. I did a lot of work over the summer and came back fit so I'm just looking forward to getting myself in the team and doing well. I've played in the middle during pre-season, I've played wide on the right and on the left. I don't mind where I play as long as I'm in the team.
"When everyone is fit there is a lot of competition. The gaffer has brought in some great players this summer, lads that have played at this level and higher. The competition for places is hotter than ever and we all need to be on our toes."
Former Crystal Palace and England U21 manager Taylor has been busy in the transfer market over the summer months, with the most high-profile signings being the free signings of Michael Duberry from Reading and Westlake from Leeds United. Indeed, Parkinson admitted on Thursday that he had been interested in bringing Duberry to The Valley, only for a potential deal not to come to fruition. Former Gillingham man Danny Spiller was also snapped up on a free transfer on Thursday.
The two sides have never met with league points on the line and Charlton have only faced Wycombe once before in a first-team clash; a Carling Cup quarter-final at The Valley on December 19th, 2006.
The Addicks had reached the last eight of the competition for the first time in their history, but their hopes of further progress were dashed as a goal from Jermaine Easter 10 minutes before the break earned the Chairboys a shock 1-0 win over Les Reed's side.
Charlton team news
Aside from Dean Sinclair (knee), Charlton have no injury worries ahead of the game, which could see debuts for Llera, Richardson and Dailly in defence. Chris Solly - a player Parkinson predicts will have a big role to play this season - is also pushing for a starting place.
Kelly Youga and Grant Basey will contest the left-back spot, with Rob Elliot, who was handed the prestigious number one jersey this week, likely to start in goal ahead of Darren Randolph.
Lloyd Sam or Scott Wagstaff could take the spot on the right flank, with two from Therry Racon, Jose Semedo, Matt Spring, Jonjo Shelvey and Nicky Bailey occupying the middle two positions. New captain Bailey or Basey could line up on the left, though, while Shelvey is an option to start in a more advanced role.
In that case, Deon Burton is the most likely candidate to start in the lone striker's role, although Izale McLeod, back from last season's loan spell at Millwall, Chris Dickson and Stuart Fleetwood are other options available to Phil Parkinson.
Andy Gray may also feature after starting the final pre-season friendly against AFC Bournemouth last weekend following nearly seven months on the sidelines with a stress stracture of his pelvis.
It's worth noting that both teams can also name seven substitutes in league matches next season - an increase on the five permitted last term. A new home-grown players rule will require clubs to name at least four players in their matchday squad that have been registered domestically, for a minimum of three seasons, prior to their 21st birthday.
A minute's applause in memory and tribute to Addicks 1947 FA Cup winner Bert Johnson, and former England manager Sir Bobby Robson, who both died during the close season, will take place prior to kick-off. Players will also wear black armbands.
Tickets and travel
Seats are priced £17, £22 and £25, and U18 seats just £5 in all areas. Over 60s and U21s can secure their spot for £17 in all areas, and seats are available in person from the Valley commercial centre or on the 0871 226 1905 hotline. Fans will also be able to purchase from the stadium in advance of kick-off.
Fans can also book £7-per-head Valley Express return travel to the stadium from more than 70 pick-up points. Get more details about the pick-up points and times here.
Anyone not attending the game can listen to full BBC LONDON audio commentary thanks to the club's new video website, CAFC Player. The match is also being broadcast live on BBC LONDON 94.9.
CAFC Player, previously known as CAFC TV, allows fans to follow the action via the live matchday centre, with text updates, all the latest statistical information and a league table that updates as the goals go in across the country.
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