Preview: Charlton Athletic vs. Middlesbrough FC

LONDON (Interstat) — A pair of English Championship sides trending in opposite directions will meet Tuesday when Charlton Athletic hosts Middlesbrough FC at The Valley.

The match pits a struggling Charlton side mired in a poor run of form against a Middlesbrough team riding high from a decisive victory just days ago.

Middlesbrough arrives in south London with momentum, coming off a commanding 4-1 home win over Hull City last Friday. That result extended their unbeaten run to three matches (2-0-1), a stretch that includes a 2-1 victory over Derby County. Their recent form has been inconsistent, however, with a 4-2 home loss to Coventry City on Nov. 25 highlighting their vulnerabilities.

In contrast, Charlton Athletic has found positive results scarce. The Addicks are winless in their last four outings (0-3-1), most recently falling 3-1 at Coventry City on Nov. 29. Their defense has been a particular concern, conceding three or more goals in three of those four matches, including a 5-1 home defeat to Southampton.

The historical context of the fixture adds another layer. This will be the first league meeting between the clubs since the 2015-16 season, renewing a dormant rivalry.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to end in a 1-1 draw, suggesting a tightly matched affair despite the disparity in recent results.

For Middlesbrough, the match is the first of a busy holiday period. They will host Queens Park Rangers on Dec. 13 before a trip to Bristol City on Dec. 20.

Charlton Athletic faces a similarly congested schedule. Following Tuesday’s clash, they will travel to face Birmingham City on Dec. 13 before returning home to host Oxford United on Dec. 20.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT) on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.