Preston Vs Charlton

Preston North End will host League One side Charlton Athletic at Deepdale on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup. Despite competing in different tiers, it is Charlton who come into the match with a better run of form. In contrast, Preston have had a difficult start to 2025, slipping down the Championship table after a challenging series of results.

Paul Heckingbottom's side entered the new year with high hopes following a strong finish to 2024, which included back-to-back victories over Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday. However, their early 2025 performances have been disappointing, and the team has found themselves struggling. A loss to West Bromwich Albion was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw at home against Oxford United last weekend, leaving them in 15th place in the Championship standings. Given these results, Preston will be eager to rediscover their form, and the FA Cup could provide the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.

In the other domestic cup competition, Preston have enjoyed some success this season. They reached the last 16 of the EFL Cup, where they were eventually eliminated by Arsenal. Along the way, they defeated Sunderland, Harrogate Town, and Premier League side Fulham, all impressive results for the club. However, their recent performances in the FA Cup have been less remarkable. Preston have not progressed beyond the fourth round of the competition in nearly six decades, despite being one of the early giants of the FA Cup. The club has won the FA Cup twice and been runners-up six times, but they have not reached a final since 1964. Their best performance since then was a quarter-final appearance in 1966, the same year they last faced Charlton in the FA Cup, winning 3-2 at The Valley. Since their return to the Championship in 2015-16, Preston have not fared well in the third round, having lost seven of their nine games at this stage.

Charlton, too, have had their fair share of struggles when it comes to advancing beyond the third round. The club has lost their last four third-round ties and has not reached the fourth round since 2014. That year, Charlton managed to reach the quarter-finals, which remains their joint-best performance in the competition since their historic FA Cup win in 1947. Charlton also reached the quarter-finals in 1994, 2000, and 2006. Despite these setbacks, the League One side has been one of the more promising teams in the FA Cup this season. They were impressive in the last round, demolishing League Two champions Walsall 4-0 away from home. This result, combined with their overall form, has led some to suggest that Charlton could be a dark horse in this year's competition.

Charlton's attack has been particularly lethal in recent away FA Cup ties. In fact, they have scored four or more goals in three of their last four away games in the competition. Remarkably, they have achieved this feat as many times in those four games as they did in the previous 73 FA Cup away ties combined. This run of high-scoring performances also includes a 4-1 victory over Southend United in the first round. Such attacking displays will certainly make Charlton a dangerous proposition for Preston on Saturday.

In addition to their impressive cup form, Charlton has also seen an uptick in their league results. The team has been steadily climbing the League One table, now sitting in the top half of the division. With seven points separating them from the playoff places and two games in hand, the Addicks are on a solid run of form, having picked up 11 points from their last five matches. During this streak, they have conceded just twice, which bodes well for their chances against Preston. Charlton's recent improvements in defence and attack have made them a more formidable side, and their upcoming FA Cup clash with Preston will be an exciting encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes.

For Preston, the FA Cup represents an important opportunity to lift spirits and regain some of the momentum they lost over the past month. Heckingbottom will be looking for a strong response from his players, especially as they seek to recover from their disappointing league form. The competition could offer them a welcome distraction from the pressures of Championship survival and provide a chance to progress further in a competition where they have a proud history, even if their recent performances in it have been less than stellar.

On the other hand, Charlton will approach the tie with confidence, knowing that they are in better form and have the potential to cause an upset. Their recent scoring form and solid league results have made them a team to watch, and their attacking capabilities, particularly in away cup ties, should not be underestimated. With their FA Cup pedigree and their ability to perform against higher-tier opposition, Charlton will believe they have a real chance of progressing further in the competition.

As the third round of the FA Cup approaches, both teams will be keen to advance and secure a place in the next stage. For Preston, the match represents a chance to rediscover their winning ways and regain confidence after a challenging start to 2025. For Charlton, it is an opportunity to continue their impressive cup run and prove that they are more than capable of causing a shock in the competition. The stage is set for an intriguing encounter at Deepdale, and both sides will be eager to take the next step in their respective FA Cup journeys.