Preview: Coventry United host Charlton in FAWC six-pointer

Coventry United will look to bounce back from their 3-0 loss to Sheffield United last Sunday when they host Charlton Athletic in a crucial fixture tomorrow afternoon.

A victory for the Red and Greens would create a five-point gap between them and last-placed Charlton. Elsewhere, the London Bees, who are also fighting for survival this season, take on title-chasers Durham, presenting a golden opportunity for Coventry to gain some precious points at the foot of the table.

Coventry will hope to give some minutes to new signing Georgia Stevens and returning winger Destiny Toussaint. Injuries in midfield have deprived the team of consistent chance creation as of late, but Helena Dermody’s return may provide the team with the required spark.

Charlton defender Jamie Gotch has said the visitors are “focused, fitter and ready for the second half of the season”. However, we may expect to see some rustiness from the South Londoners, given their last fixture, a defeat against Leicester, took place over a month ago.

The Addicks are tied for the worst scoring record in the league but will be encouraged by Coventry’s vulnerability at set pieces, a weakness Sheffield United exploited twice a week ago. As a result, set pieces and corners will be decisive in this affair.

Charlton will also be hoping for positive performances from midfielder duo Charley Clifford and Ciara Watling. In Charlton’s 3-2 defeat against Coventry earlier this season, Watling’s dribbling impressed. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to start in an advanced midfield role for the Addicks.

Both sides are winless in their last five fixtures, with each securing a solitary point. Expect to see an offensive approach for Jay Bradford’s Coventry, the Red and Greens are proven to be more efficient in attack than defence in 2021. Riteesh Mishra’s visitors, meanwhile, will look to make the most of their skill in wide areas.

This bottom-of-the-table encounter promises to be a classically gritty showing.