Charlton vs Fulham

Charlton have travelled to Craven Cottage six times since the advent of the Premiership, five times in league fixtures and once in the FA Cup. On each occasion, the Addicks have left without more than a point - on four of the six occasions they left with nothing but glum faces - and I expect their coach to be a grim place to be following their bout with Fulham this evening. Ian Dowie has endured a torrid start to his reign at Charlton and is already as short as 8/1 to be the next Premiership manager to leave. The south London side, currently stone last in the table, have lost seven of their eight league matches played thus far and scraped to victory League One side Carlisle in the League Cup last month. All in all, things aren't looking too bright for The Valley outfit. Fulham were beaten 2-1 at home by Wycombe in their Round 2 League Cup match, but Chris Coleman fielded an under-strength side and, to their credit, The Cottagers have been acquitting themselves creditably in the Premiership so far this term. They have gained good points in tough matches against Bolton, Tottenham and most recently when away to Watford. They made Chelsea work hard for victory at Craven Cottage in their penultimate match - only giving best to the reigning champions after Frank Lampard converted a 73rd-minute penalty. For Charlton scoring goals on their travels is the problem. Indeed, in the five Premiership matches alluded to earlier, Charlton have scored just one goal against Fulham, which was when Jason Euell nabbed a consolation goal for his side during their 2-1 defeat against The Cottagers. The scorer of Fulham's two goals that day, Luis Boa Morte, is set to miss this match, along with Jimmy Bullard, Ahmad Elrich, Philippe Christanval, Simon Elliott and Mark Pembridge. Jerone Thomas has recovered from a broken foot and may be welcomed back into the squad by Dowie, who will be without Kevin Lisbie, Gonzalo Sorondo and Djimi Traore. Souleymane Diawara and Omar Pouso are close to full fitness and the former is definitely in the squad for this encounter. Darren Bent, who has netted five of Charlton's six Premiership goals scored this season, will be the man Fulham's defence need to monitor most. American striker Brian McBride has been in good form for the Cottagers, and he might get a starting place alongside Heidar Helguson, ahead of Collins John. In any case, Fulham's goalscoring potential is their for all to see, especially with the pacey winger Wayne Routledge teeing things up for the forwards with his incisive runs. This, however, might not be a high goalscoring game, because of the fact that it's a game both side's will be desperate not to lose. However, Fulham go into this match in a respectable mid-table position and their confidence must ne a good deal higher than that of Charlton at present. I strongly believe that Charlton will suffer the fifth consecutive league defeat in this match. But, rather than backing Fulham at a top-priced 11/10 in the match result market, Paddy Power's offer of 12/5 about Fulham winning to nil appeals as a value bet. Verdict - 2pts Fulham to win to nil @ 12/5 (Paddy Power)