Charlton’s 2025 league campaign began in January with a 2-1 away win against Durham. Since then, Karen Hills’ side have played a further nineteen league games and they haven’t lost a single one.
Thirteen wins, seven draws and a goal difference of plus twenty four over a calendar year would usually suggest promotion but The Addicks narrowly missed out last season.
The unbeaten record is nice but it won’t be the focus of Sunday’s match - not for the team anyway. While the fans might think about a potential unbeaten year all focus at Sparrows Lane this week will have been on Nottingham Forest. Forest are in decent form themselves having beaten Sunderland in their last league fixture and they arrive for Sunday's match (2pm) in sixth place. Charlton's position was further strengthened on Wednesday when Bristol City lost 2-3 to Crystal Palace which means that they are still five points in arrears and have played a game more.
With a winter break to come Karen Hills will be able to field the strongest eleven available to her with no need to rest players or manage minutes. The midfield will need to run themselves into the ground. Forest have the highest average possession stats in the league but don’t often take advantage. Charlton have had around twenty percent less possession on average but both teams have a similar total of touches in their opposition boxes. Forest aren’t shot shy but Sophie Whitehouse is the best keeper in the league with a save percentage which is miles ahead of her peers.
In reality there shouldn't be much to fear for Charlton and they know they will be top of the tree at Christmas. However, it would be nice to have that extra decoration of being unbeaten all year, right?
You can buy your ticket at the stadium before the game but it will cost you £3 extra.
Picture by Danni Fairbairn