Northwich v Charlton
Charlton's third of four successive away fixtures sees the Addicks heading into the unknown of an FA Cup first-round tie at non-League Northwich Victoria on Sunday (1.30pm).
The Addicks have not featured in the first-round draw since the 1980/81 season, when they took on non-League Harlow Town.
Back then, the BBC's Match of the Day cameras were hoping for an upset, but they were left disappointed as Charlton earned a 2-0 victory thanks to first-half goals from Martin Robinson and Derek Hales at Harlow's Sportscentre ground.
It's a similar situation this time around, with ITV in attendance at the Victoria Stadium on Sunday hoping to witness a giantkilling in the early stages of the competition.
Charlton, however, have never lost to non-League opposition since entering the League in 1921, so the omens are good for the cup clash, although Phil Parkinson will be looking for a marked improvement from his players following last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Carlisle United.
It was only Charlton's second loss of the season, and the Addicks remain in an automatic promotion spot, but Parkinson will be aware of Leeds United lengthening their lead at the top and the chasing pack closing in behind.
The near 700-mile round-trip to Brunton Park will have given Parkinson plenty of time to mull over the events from the Carlisle game, and the Addicks gaffer will want a response from his team after a somewhat lacklustre display which will have given him cause for concern.
Those wrongs can be rectified in front of the cameras on Sunday, though, as Charlton aim to book their place in the next round of the world's most famous domestic cup competition.
The opposition
Northwich will be without leading scorer Mark Danks and captain Simon Grand for the clash with the Addicks as both players are suspended having picked up five bookings so far this season.
The loss of Danks is a major blow for Vics, with the star netting 16 times already this season. He will be available for Northwich's Cheshire Senior Cup tie at home to Cheadle Town on Tuesday, before starting a three-game suspension the following weekend having been sent off last Saturday against Stafford Rangers.
Vics boss Andy Preece said: "I'm a bit gutted for both those lads because they've been absolutely superb during the cup run, and in recent weeks they have been two of our shining lights. I'm devastated for them.
"We looked at every possible angle at getting them in the game, but there's just nothing we can do about it. So it opens the door for someone else to take advantage of that and try to get themselves in the starting XI for that game, and for the games that follow."
Northwich, who compete in the Blue Square North, defeated FC United of Manchester 3-0 at the Victoria Stadium to seal the Cheshire club's place in the first round, and Preece was delighted to be drawn against the Addicks, stating: "I was dancing for joy. It's just fantastic - we couldn't have asked for better.
"To get the phone call to say we're definitely live on TV is just what dreams are made of. I've always said I'd love to do something for the chairman to bring some money in and make life a lot easier and for the hours he puts in. I didn't think it would happen this quickly, and I'm just delighted for everybody, but particularly for the chairman."
Founded in 1874, Northwich played at the Drill Field ground for over 125 years, before a groundsharing period with local rivals Witton Albion. Northwich moved to their current Victoria Stadium for the start of the 2005/06 season.
They reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in the 1976/77 season, going out 3-1 at 'home' to Oldham Athletic in a game switched to Manchester City's old Maine Road ground.
Notable people from the Cheshire town include John Greenway MP and Tim Burgess, lead singer of the Charlatans, while Tommy McKenzie, name checked as Father McKenzie by The Beatles in Eleanor Rigby, was compere at Northwich Memorial Hall.
Charlton team news
Loan signings Carl Ikeme and Elliot Omozusi both made their debuts in Charlton's clash at Brunton Park last Saturday.
With Rob Elliot ruled out for up to six weeks with an adductor injury, Wolverhampton Wanderers custodian Ikeme edged out Darren Randolph for the gloves.
Ikeme, though, has not been given permission by Wolves to feature in the cup tie, so Randolph is a certainty to make his first appearance of the season. Jack Binks, superb for Charlton's U18s in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night, could be included on the substitutes' bench.
Frazer Richardson, who missed his first game of the season at Carlisle with a thigh injury, is again set to miss out, so former Fulham man Omozusi, snapped up until December, could once more deputise at right-back.
Two from Christian Dailly, Sam Sodje and Miguel Llera are likely to start in central defence, with either Kelly Youga or Grant Basey at left-back.
Jose Semedo and Therry Racon formed the central midfield pairing at Brunton Park, with Lloyd Sam on the right and skipper Nicky Bailey on the left. But Scott Wagstaff will be desperate to be involved against the club he represented five times on loan last term.
Wagstaff scored his first goal in senior football to draw Vics level against Eastbourne Borough in his final game, but was then shown a straight red card for violent conduct late in the match, which saw them beaten 4-1.
And, with Wagstaff handed a three-match ban as a result of his dismissal, Northwich decided against extending the starlet's loan.
Up front, Izale Mcleod continued his partnership with Deon Burton, but Jonjo Shelvey could return if Parkinson reverts to a 4-4-1-1 formation. Leon McKenzie (thigh) is still sidelined and Dave Mooney has not been given permission to play by parent club Reading. Tamer Tuna could be on the bench.
Tickets and travel
Vics, watched by 2,615 when they saw off FC United in last month's fourth qualifying round, are expecting another bumper gate.
The stadium record, set when Vics beat Stafford Rangers to clinch the Conference North title in April 2006, remains at 3,154.
Charlton were sent an initial allocation of 1,250 places. These comprise 250 seats, priced £14 adults, £12 concessions (over 65s) and £5 U16s, plus 1,000 terrace places, priced £12 adults, £10 over 65s, £5 U16s and £2 for U12s.
The latest news from the Valley commercial centre is that around 200 away tickets had been sold by Thursday morning, and all tickets have now been returned to Victoria Stadium.
The Vics will be selling seats for the FA Cup clash on the day but fans should note that Northwich don't accept credit/debit cards.
Details of the Valley Away coach service, priced £20, to the Victoria Stadium can be found here.
Anyone not attending the game can listen to full audio commentary on the club's video website CAFC Player, while the Addicks' Twitter feed @CAFCofficial will keep fans updated on a regular basis.
CAFC Player, previously known as CAFC TV, allows fans to follow the action via the live matchday centre, with text updates, all the latest statistical information and a league table that refreshes as the goals go in across the country.
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