Charlton Athletic fans will likely be pessimistic heading into this afternoon's home clash with eighth place Sheffield Wednesday. 

Carlos Carvalhal's Sheffield Wednesday go in search of a seventh win of the season at Charlton today (3pm kick-off)
Carlos Carvalhal's Sheffield Wednesday go in search of a seventh win of the season at Charlton today (3pm kick-off)

The Addicks sit in 23rd place in the table, one point clear of bottom placed Rotherham United, and four points of off safety.

This gap could widen if they fall again to an in-form Sheffield Wednesday side, who themselves come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, the only unbeaten team in the Football League, and a win against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup to book their place in the quarter-finals.

So confidence is high in the Owls' camp and the stage is set for an eventful match. Here are three things to look out for in this afternoon's encounter:

1) Lucas Joao

The powerful striker has been a revelation this season and has caused havoc among opposition defences.

This is no doubt down to his perfect blend of pace, strength and trickery, and if Charlton fail to shut him out of the game, he will punish them, and they could find themselves behind very early on.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Owls in the summer, has netted four times already this season - the latest coming in the Owls' impressive 3-0 win over Arsenal in the League Cup a few weeks ago.

Keeping him quiet will be the key to home success this afternoon.

2) Charlton's attacking quality

In their 3-0 home defeat to Brentford, Guy Luzon's final game in charge before being relieved of his duties, the Addicks regularly created chances, but they never came to anything.

They've scored just 11 times so far this season - only Bolton Wanderers (10) have scored less - and have failed to score in their last five league games.

This can be pinned down to the failure of the likes of Franck Moussa, Simon Makienok and Tony Watt to convert their chances into goals, not just in that particular game but throughout the season.

They must find a ruthless edge in front of goal if they are to get out of the bottom three.

3) Charlton's back-line

The defensive work hasn't always been poor this season - the Addicks defended well against Reading up until a Nick Blackman goal secured a narrow success for Steve Clarke's side.

Yet they've still conceded 25 goals this season, ten in their last four games, and this dreaded combination of a leaky defence and inability to score goals is what leaves them in the relegation zone.

The main point for Charlton is not to dive into rash challenges, go down to 10 men and throw the game away. Avoid this and they could well get something from this afternoon's encounter.

Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday fans... what do you think the score will be? Can the Addicks end a wretched run of form with victory? Or can the Owls stretch their unbeaten run to ten league games? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!