Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Of the promoted clubs from the EFL League One, Charlton Athletic are holding up the best. They have stayed in the top six leading to the play-offs for two rounds. Swansea City would like to be there as well, but while they were involved in the EFL Cup, they dropped some points in the EFL Championship.
Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic were eliminated from the EFL Cup early in August in the second round. After that, in nine league rounds they lost only twice, also in August to Queens Park Rangers (1:3) and in early October to Preston North End (0:2). Both defeats were away. At The Valley, the hosts are unbeaten in three matches. The last team to beat them there was Leicester City (0:1), right before their EFL Cup elimination. That was probably a case of lacking match fitness.
Swansea City
When Swansea City travel away, they become a side that are hard to break down: in five such matches they have conceded only three times, but have scored just four. Four of those five matches finished under 2.5 goals. At times the visitors have simply been fortunate. For example, Southampton should have won 3:0 (3.10-0.20 in xG) but missed from close range. Was it extreme bad luck or poor finishing from Southampton?
Charlton Athletic vs Swansea City Prediction
Given Charlton Athletic have an aggregate home record of 7:3 across five matches, the best angle for Swansea City is the under — these sides suit each other stylistically. Even so, we think the hosts will at least avoid defeat.
