Fulham v Charlton: free football tip, team news and match preview

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Fulham v Charlton in the Sky Bet Championship.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football and Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Fulham -1 on Asian handicap
4pts 5-8 bet365

Team news

Fulham
No fresh injuries have been reported in the Fulham camp.

Charlton
Ben Purrington (groin) has joined Beram Kayal (groin), Tomer Hemed (thigh), Lyle Taylor (knee) and Lewis Page (Achilles) on the sidelines. Chuks Aneke (groin) is a doubt.

Match preview

One point separates fifth-placed Fulham from eighth-placed Charlton in the Sky Bet Championship table but there could be a wide gulf between the teams at Craven Cottage this weekend.

Scott Parker's new-look Fulham side took a while to get into their stride and strike the right balance between possession-based football and creating good goal-scoring opportunities.

But Fulham's squad, reinforced by the arrival of five Premier League loanees in Harry Arter, Anthony Knockaert, Bobby Reid, Ivan Cavaleiro and Harrison Reed, looks as strong as any in the division and results are beginning to improve.

Parker's side snapped a five-game winless run with a slightly nervy 2-0 success at home to Wigan last Saturday but were far more convincing when winning 4-1 at Reading on Tuesday.

Midfielder Tom Cairney scored Fulham's first and last goals at the Madejski Stadium, taking his seasonal tally to five, and his return to peak performance is a massive boost.

Fulham's struggles in the Premier League last season affected many players but Cairney's below-par performances were one of the most disappointing aspects of their campaign.

However, the Scot is back in the groove and is just one key element of an impressive attacking arsenal.

Powerhouse forward Aleksandar Mitrovic often takes centre stage and is perhaps the only player Fulham would struggle to replace. But they have strength in depth in wide attacking positions with Knockaert, Reid and Cavaleiro jostling for places.

Charlton can expect a serious workout and their defence could be disjointed because injuries to Ben Purrington and Lewis Page have left them without a recognised left-back.

Purrington sustained a groin strain during a 2-1 loss at home to Swansea on Wednesday and joins key attackers Tomer Hemed and Lyle Taylor in the treatment room.

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer is not somebody to make excuses and will urge his patched-up team to compete as well as they can.

However, the Addicks are unlikely to keep a clean sheet and have scored just two goals in four matches since top scorer Taylor suffered a knee injury.

Getting Taylor back to full fitness will be crucial to Charlton's season but, for now, they look a team to oppose.