Charlton Athletic need to shake off 29-year Millwall hoodoo in first derby clash in five years

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Charlton Athletic host south London rivals Millwall at The Valley this weekend and will be eager to end a 29-year unwanted streak.

The Addicks are back in the Championship after winning promotion from League One last term and have splashed £10million in the transfer window in their bid to stay in the division, most recently bringing in deadline day signing James Bree.

A return to the second tier also signalled the return of a local derby with Millwall for the first time in five years. The last time the rivals faced each other, the Lions snatched victory at the death in front of an empty Valley due to Covid-19 through Jake Cooper.

Plenty has changed since then. Millwall have brought in Alex Neil as manager and a number of quality players including Addicks academy product Alfie Doughty and Southampton’s Will Smallbone. But it’s not just derby bragging rights Charlton are after on Saturday.

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Charlton Athletic have not won against Millwall since 1996, Miles Leaburn’s dad and Lee Bowyer scored

The Addicks will also want to end their unwanted derby record against Millwall.

Charlton haven’t beaten Millwall since 1996. That game saw Lee Bowyer – who was Charlton manager for their side’s last fixture – and current Addicks striker Miles Leaburn’s dad, Carl, score in a 2-0 victory against the Lions at The Valley.

It is of course worth noting that Charlton were in the Premier League from 1998 to 1999 and 2000 to 2007. After 1996, they didn’t face Millwall until 2009.

Since 1996, though, the teams have met 12 times. Millwall have won seven of those meetings, while the five others ended in draws. Four fixtures ended in 0-0 – but it’s unlikely this weekend will end this way.

Millwall’s record on the road will be a huge boost for trip to The Valley

Millwall are yet to win at home in the Championship this season, but have picked up six points out of six away from The Den.

The Lions beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane before winning 2-1 at Norwich City. However, at home, they are yet to score, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough and a 2-0 loss to Wrexham so far.

Their form on the road will give Millwall confidence going into their derby with Charlton this weekend.

The Addicks, meanwhile, have scored only two goals so far this season as they wait for their new-look front line to click. Only Sheffield United have scored fewer goals (1).