Charlton Athletic must maintain excellent Fratton Park record - December 29th fixtures can give relegation battle a potentially dramatic twist

Addicks need a response at Portsmouth after a really tepid showing in Boxing Day loss to Norwich City

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

It’s a famous line from Michael Corleone in the third film in The Godfather series. But it could equally apply to Charlton Athletic’s situation when it comes to the Championship relegation battle.

The Addicks were eight points clear of danger after Saturday’s narrow victory over Oxford United. It felt like a substantial buffer.

But that security felt a whole lot less secure last night following a 1-0 defeat at Norwich City. Results elsewhere cut the gap back to five points ahead of Monday’s portentous-looking trip to Portsmouth.

Charlton really, really need their excellent record at Fratton Park to continue. They are unbeaten in their previous eight visits, winning seven of them. The last reverse there came in the Premier League in April 2005.

Those December 29 fixtures are likely to give the bottom of the table another shake up.