The opponents

Phil Parkinson's side have had a very good start to life in League One after relegation from the Championship last season. The addicks currently lie second in the table and their record so far this season reads eight wins, four draws and just one defeat. Five of them seven wins have come at The Valley against Wycombe(3-2) Walsall(2-0) Brentford(2-0) Exeter City(2-1) and last Saturday against Huddesfield(2-1). Their other three wins were away against Hartlepool(2-0) Leyton Orient(2-1) and Tranmere(4-0). They have drawn twice at home against Southampton(1-1) and Oldham(0-0) and twice away against league leaders Leeds(0-0) and Norwich City(2-2). Their only defeat so far came away against Colchester United(3-0).

It's a numbers game

-Deon Burton has scored five goals this season and is the club's top scorer.

-Jonjoy Shelvey has provided the most assists so far this season with five.

-Charlton have had the more shots on target so far then any other club in League one with ninety one.

-Charlton average attendance so far this season has been 16,856. Their highest was against Southampton(19,441) and their lowest was against Walsall(15,306).

-Eight Charlton players have started all thirteen league games this season.

They are Youga, Sam, Dailly, Elliot, Richardson, Burton, Bailey and Racon.

Player connection

Hendon born Colin Powell was a inside right winger and was signed by Charlton in January 1973 for £10,000 from Barnet. He made over 300 apperances for the addicks during two spells at the club. The first spell being between 1973 and 1979 and the second spell being between 1979 and 1981.The then Gillingham manager Keith Peacock snapped him up from Charlton in August 1981 for £25,000 and he went on to make 56 apperances for the kent club scoring one goal between 1981 and 1983. Colin is now currently working as head groundsman at The Valley.

It's a fact

Charlton were forced to play their home games at Crystal Palace and West Ham between 1985 and 1992 after the football league criticised the safety of The Valley. After a long and often painfull battle the club's supporters decided to contest the local Greenwich Borough Council elections in 1992. They gained 11% of the votes during the elections and this went a long way to securing their return to The Valley in the same year.

 Memory Lane

I have yet to see a Gillingham- Charlton game live. However the clubs did play each other only five years ago in a FA Cup 3rd Round match.(see Do I know you?  ) .  The last league meeting was way back in May 1981, Charlton winning 2-1 at The Valley.

Do I know you?  

Since 1921 the clubs have meet each other only 26 times in all competitions. 

Charlton have the advantage with thirteen wins to Gillingham's four , the other nine games were draws.

In the thirteen meetings at Priestfield both Gillingham and Charlton have won four times each. The other five games finished in a draw.

The last meeting in Priestfield was in January 2004, a FA Cup 3rd Round Match. Charlton were a Premiership team at the time and Gillingham were in the Championship. Despite regular top half finishes in the Premiership, Alan Curbishley side had a terrible record in cup competitions and it got worse at Priestfield. Charlton had taken a first minute lead thanks to a own goal from Gillingham's Ian Cox but goals from Tommy Johnson, Mamady Sidbie and Paul Smith put the Gills 3-1 up at half time. A inspired second half goalkeeping performance by Gills second choice keeper Bertrand Bossu keep the addicks at bay and was it took until 90th minute for the addicks make it 3-2 though Carlton Cole. Unfortunately that wasn't enough and the Gills held on for a famous 3-2 victory.

Form

Gillingham have won one drawn one and lost four of their last six games

The last six at Priestfield they have won four drawn one and lost one.

Charlton have won two drawn three and lost one of their last six games. Their last six away from The Valley has seen them win three draw two and lose just the once.

Head to Head - Simeon Jackson Vs Kelly Youga 

Simeon Jackson has made the step up to league one with ease so far this season scoring seven goals in twelve starts. Away from home he has yet to score but at Priestfield he has flourished and it's where he has scored all of his seven league goals. Kelly Younga has started all of Charlton's thirteen league games and is part of a defence that is lead by vetern scottish defender Christian Dailly. Charlton's defence has conceded eleven goals on the road in just six away games and will need to be at their best to deny Jackson.

Gillingham  

Mark Stimson was pleased with the performance at Stadium MK despite the 2-0 lost and feels the team may have turned the corner away from home.

On loan Matthew Fry and Scott Vernon both made their debuts for the club and Fry impressed Stimson with his performance. Unfortunatley Vernon limped off just before half time with a ankle injury adding to the club's mounting injury list. After seeing a specialist this week Vernon has been told his is to be out for three months so Stimson had no choice but to send him back to Colchester as the loan deal was only for a month.

Summary    

Gillingham's home form has been their saving grace so far this season but this game will be a real test for Stimson's and his players. Charlton head to Priestfield in good form and have only been beaten once this season and that was on the road at Colchester. Almost everyone will have this down as a away win but with a capacity crowd likely the Gillingham players should raise their game and it maybe enough to help them upset the addicks.

Fancy a flutter 

Blue Square Bet

Gillingham   to win   19/10

Charlton      to win    6/5

The Draw                 12/5

My Prediction

1-1-  Jackson