Charlton vs Portsmouth

Charlton Athletic welcome Portsmouth to The Valley in London for matchday seven of the Championship regular season this Saturday. The Addicks will look to solidify their strong start to the campaign, while the visiting south-coast side aim to bounce back from a midweek disappointment against Derby County.

Charlton Form Guide: Addicks Seeking Home Comforts

Charlton have accumulated ten points from their first five league fixtures, currently boasting three victories. Their perfect start to the campaign was halted by a battling 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion, where Tyreece Campbell struck a crucial 71st-minute equaliser to rescue a point. However, the London club will be desperate to make amends for a recent disappointing 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth at this very ground. Securing a more positive result at The Valley is essential for maintaining their push at the top end of the division.

Portsmouth Form Guide: Mousinho's Men Chasing Momentum

John Mousinho's side arrive in the capital with six points from five outings. Pompey have struggled to string consecutive results together, recently falling to a 2-0 defeat against newly-promoted Derby County, where Sammie Szmodics and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen breached their defence. Despite those recent struggles and a goal difference of minus one, Portsmouth have already proven they can win at this venue and will hope to replicate their recent three-goal performance against the Addicks.

Portsmouth Team News: Shaughnessy Returns and Loanee Bravery

Portsmouth's defensive selection remains a primary talking point. Mousinho has confirmed that key centre-back Conor Shaughnessy will be available for the trip to Charlton. The defender was rested against Derby to manage his minutes following hamstring and quad issues last term—a cautious approach after he started just 23 times following Pompey's 2024 League One title success. With Regan Poole nursing a minor hamstring problem, Brentford loanee Benjy Arthur could continue his partnership alongside Dia at the back.

Further up the pitch, Chelsea loanee Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is set to feature despite suffering a fractured hand. The young winger, who made his senior Chelsea debut against Port Vale in the FA Cup earlier this year, crashed over the advertising hoardings on Tuesday night. He has turned down surgery in favour of playing with a protective splint for the next month.

Securing three points in this fixture would help Charlton cement their position among the early Championship pacesetters. Conversely, an away victory would provide Portsmouth with vital momentum ahead of their subsequent fixture against Blackburn Rovers, just before the upcoming international break pauses the domestic calendar.