A foregone conclusion?

Charlton face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and a home win looks far and away the most likely conclusion. The Addicks drew with Chelsea there in the Carling Cup and then won the fixture through a penalty shoot out, but they have not taken points in the league off Chelsea since the victory at The Valley on Boxing Day 2003. With ticktes priced at £48, and the match on television, many of the Addickted are understandably not going and this is one match I will miss.

With a 4-5-1 formation likely to be favoured, new signing Marcus Bent is likely be on the bench. Hopefully Rommedahl will start as his pace could have some unsettling effect on Chelsea. Danny Murphy may also be recalled for the big occasion.

With Deano and Andersen both reportedly bemoaning their fate and expressing interest in berths elsewhere, Thomas Myhre is likely to remain in goal. The defensive line up is also likely to remain unchanged. The gap in quality between the two sides is shown by the difference between Kishishev and Makelele. Let's hope that Kish doesn't make any errors which will be pounced on by Chelsea.

Whatever Charlton might be they are not draw specialists, so I'm opting for a 2-0 defeat just like last year. I would love to be proved wrong and see the Addicks take all three points, as Kevin Lisbie did in a 1-0 victory not so long ago, but I don't see it happening.