Wigan preview

During the 48 days since we exited Old Trafford after our battling defeat, we have played just three times whilst United have played nine times. By my calculation, on an hourly basis that implies that the likes of Matt Holland are possibly earning more than Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo. Heady times indeed.

The Charlton players should thus feel both suitably rested and remunerated for the vital visit of Wigan Athletic. The game is not being shown here in the US, the programmers deciding for example that Fulham vs Portsmouth is far more interesting. Worryingly, by way of precedents, I have seen all but six of our games on the box this season, and those half-dozen have yielded precisely one point (Watford away).

The main fitness worry concerns Alexandre Song who has been an extremely impressive combative presence in midfield. Then again we survived and indeed prospered after he departed the fray against Newcastle, so hopefully we will cope again. Zheng Zhi meanwhile surely deserves another opportunity 'in the hole' behind Darren Bent, implying a bench-warming afternoon at best for the remaining strikers. Meanwhile at the back, Pards must decide whether to recall Ben Thatcher in place of the Herminator, though the Icelander's muscular presence at set-pieces might be a deciding factor.

Derek 'Killer' Hales (KillerWatch© -£271) enjoyed perhaps his finest post-retirement moment two weeks ago, correctly predicting a 2-0 victory at tasty odds of 10/1. With a spring in his step, and the chance to bring his season-long record into the black, Killer is predicting a 2-1 victory for the Addicks at 15/2. However I'm going to predict an edgier affair with bookings galore, but most importantly a repeat of last season's scoreline. NY Addick predicts Charlton 1 (Bent D), Wigan 0. Att: 27,104.