FA Cup third round: Charlton Athletic v Oxford United

A look ahead to this week’s FA Cup clash at the Valley

Fans arrive at Charlton Athletic's home ground The Valley (GETTY IMAGES)

While Tuesday night will be littered with replays, Charlton and Oxford are still yet to play. It’s not for a lack of trying either, the game has been called off twice already due to the condition of the pitch at The Valley. The omens are good this time though; the pitch has passed an initial inspection and the staff at the ground have installed a dome on thepitch ahead of a final inspection on match day.

Charlton have suffered at the hands of their watery turf on numerous occasions this season, but this particular cloud has a silver lining. The pitch came to the Addick’s aid in August, offering them a second chance to beat Doncaster Rovers, which was duly taken.  With Charlton 3 -1 down at halftime referee Lee Collins decided to call off the game, despite earlier attempts from the Doncaster players to clear the pitch of water. Rover’s failed to emulate their performance when the game was replayed, slumping to 2 – 0 defeat.

Oxford meanwhile travel to Charlton looking to avenge their League Cup defeat earlier in the season. United were rolled over by the Championship side in August, the hosts emphasising their higher league status with a 4 – 0 win. Oxford will be buoyed for their return to London by the reappearance of veteran striker Dave Kitson from suspension, who will hope to link up with the likes of James Constable in attack.

The game could also see the debut of Charlton’s new loanee Astrit Ajdarevic who joined from Standard Liege last week.

The winners of the tie will travel to Yorkshire to face Mark Robin’s Huddersfield in the next round.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7:45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Charlton Athletic 4 (Church 2, Green, Pigott) Oxford United 0, League Cup, August 2013

Charlton Athletic 0 Oxford United 0, League Cup, October 2002

Oxford United 1 (Jemson) Charlton Athletic 2 (Mendonca, Robinson)

STATS:

This is the first time the two clubs have ever met in the FA Cup.

Charlton have not lost to Oxford since 1987.

ODDS:

Find odds using Betfair.com – always write them as decimals.

Charlton to win: 1.61

Oxford to win: 5.5

Draw: 3.5

TV: Highlights on ITV 1 at 10:55pm.