Charlton Athletic look to spring a cupset against Brighton & Hove Albion at The Valley in the Fourth Round of 2022-23 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Charlton reach the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2006-07 season, whilst Brighton are looking to advance beyond this stage for the first time since 1978-79 tournament.
Team News
Miles Leaburn is set to return for Charlton after two months sidelined with an ankle injury.
Terrel Thomas (hamstring) could also be available but Joe Wollacott (finger), Mandela Egbo (quad) and Eoghan O’Connell (knee) remain ruled out.
Brighton will be without Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck after the pair suffered knocks during a mid-season friendly, although both players could return for the Seagulls’ Boxing Day trip to Southampton.
Alexis Mac Allister (personal) and Jakub Moder (knee) will also be absent.
Robert Sanchez, Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinian, Kaoru Mitoma, Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento and Leandro Trossard however could all return after their World Cup adventures ended early.
Stat Attack
- Charlton won their only previous League Cup tie against Brighton by 2-1 result in August 1973, albeit away at the Seagulls’ former Goldstone Ground.
- Brighton are playing away to Charlton for the first time in the League Cup, but are unbeaten in five of their last six visits in all competitions (W4, D1, L1).
- Charlton haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their six home games against Brighton in all competitions this century.
- All three of Charlton’s goals in the League Cup this season have been scored after half-time.
- Just one of Brighton’s six goals in this season’s League Cup were scored from the penalty spot.
Prediction
Since defeating Stevenage on penalties in the Third Round, Charlton have failed to win any of their following six match amidst their defensive fragilities yet have scored in four of those six matches, which should set up an interesting encounter if they can sort out their back lines.
Brighton’s main concern meanwhile will be the risk of rustiness after their international break but with several players having rejoined early, I can’t see much issues once they hit their strides especially with morale in a positive place after seeing Alexis Mac Allister’s success with Argentina.
Quite frankly, I would be surprised if this game finishes goalless but Charlton realistically can’t concede first otherwise this could very likely be an one-sided contest.
Prediction: Charlton 0-2 Brighton
Result: Charlton 0-0 Brighton (Charlton win 4-3 on penalties!!)