Saturday will see Leeds United and Charlton Athletic go head-to-head for the first time in four years.
The Addicks have spent the last three seasons in the wilderness of League One but have been reborn under the management of former Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer. Last season saw them promoted back to the Championship and they made a great start to life in the second tier going unbeaten in their first four games and fighting Leeds United for top spot.
Since the international break Charlton have lost both games and slipped to eighth in the table but Bowyer is feeling positive ahead of the visit of his old club at the weekend.
"I think we always do our best against the so-called better sides," he told London News Online. "We certainly did that last season and I can’t see it being any different now.
“Leeds, Swansea and Fulham are all teams that will be up there.
“From what I have seen live and on the telly, Leeds are the team to beat. If you finish above them then you’re getting promoted – I think it’s that simple.
“They are a very good side. I watched their game against Derby and I don’t know how they drew that. They hit the woodwork twice and missed sitters left, right and centre. It was crazy to watch."
Looking ahead to this weekend's game, Bowyer is planning to use what he has observed to exploit what he sees as Leeds United's weaknesses.
“I’ll watch them more this week, but they have weaknesses. They just bomb so many people forward.
“As good as they are going forward they are going to be vulnerable at the back as well. But you’ve got to get the ball first!”
Lee Bowyer started his playing career at Charlton Athletic before signing for Leeds United in 1996. He scored 55 goals in 265 matches for Leeds before signing for West Ham in 2003.
Leeds United play Charlton Athletic at The Valley at 3pm on Saturday September 28. You can follow all the build up on LeedsLive.
