Charlton vs Stevenage – ‘New kick-off time’, prediction, team news, lineup

Championship outfit Charlton Athletic will be bidding to book their spot in the second round of the EFL Cup when they tackle League One side Stevenage at the Valley on Tuesday night.

The home side will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Watford in their Championship opener, while Stevenage have been victorious in both of their games at the start of their League One campaign.

Match preview

Charlton’s 2025-26 Championship campaign started on the perfect note on Saturday, with a last-gasp goal from Harvey Knibbs securing all three points for the Addicks against Watford at the Valley.

Nathan Jones’s side secured a return to the Championship through last season’s League One playoffs, so their main aim for this season is to consolidate back in the second tier, and the club have made some brilliant signings this summer.

Charlton’s Championship campaign will continue away to Bristol City on August 16, but their current attention is on the EFL Cup and a clash against League One team Stevenage in the first round of the competition.

The Addicks beat Stevenage 2-0 at the Valley in League One last season, but they suffered a 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture, and the visitors have started this season in impressive fashion.

Charlton have never won the League Cup, but they know what it takes to win a major cup competition, having enjoyed success in the 1946-47 FA Cup final, beating Burnley 1-0 after extra time.

Stevenage, meanwhile, finished 14th in League One last season, but it has been a very positive start to the new campaign for Alex Revell’s side, who have picked up six points from two matches.

The Boro started their campaign with a 3-2 success over Blackpool before beating Rotherham United 1-0, with six points leaving them in fifth position in the table.

Stevenage will continue their league campaign against Northampton Town on August 16, and that match will be viewed as more important than this one for the visitors, but Revell will be eyeing a Championship scalp.

The Boro have never lifted the League Cup or FA Cup, but they are two-time FA Trophy winners, triumphing in that particular competition in both 2006-07 and 2008-09.

Stevenage have only won two of their previous 10 matches against Charlton in all competitions, and it will be the first clash between the two sides in the League Cup.

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):
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Stevenage form (all competitions):
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Team News

Charlton’s Knibbs hit a debut goal against Watford on Saturday, and the recent arrival is now likely to be introduced into the starting side for the EFL Cup fixture with Stevenage.

Head coach Jones will make a number of changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Watford, with Will Mannion, Alex Mitchell, Karoy Andersen, Luke Berry, Miles Leaburn and Tanto Olaofe likely to be introduced.

However, Sonny Carey is likely to keep hold of his spot in the XI for Tuesday’s League Cup affair.

As for Stevenage, head coach Revell will also make wholesale changes to his side following the League One contest with Rotherham last time out.

Taye Ashby-Hammond is in line for a spot between the sticks, while Lewis Freestone and Dan Sweeney are set to be introduced in the middle of the defence.

There are also expected to be positions in the final third of the field for Mathaeus Roberts and Phoenix Patterson, with fringe players set to be given opportunities to impress on Tuesday night.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Ramsay, Mitchell, Bell, Edwards; Anderson, Berry; Knibbs, Carey, Leaburn; Olaofe

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Pattenden, Freestone, Sweeney, Butler; Phillips, White; M Roberts, Kemp, Patterson; Reid

We say: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Stevenage

Stevenage have started this season in impressive fashion, and we are expecting them to provide Charlton with a tough test on Tuesday, but the Addicks should have enough quality to advance into the second round.

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