Charlton Athletic will no doubt be in confident mood as they head into their game with Middlesbrough this weekend, with the Addicks taking on a Boro side who are currently on a run of just one win in their last five games. 

However despite this, Lee Bowyer will also be keen for his side to address their dreadful run of form, which has seen them go seven games without a win, their worst run of the current campaign so far.

With injuries racking up and key players underperforming, three points is long overdue for the south London based side, as they seek to climb the table once more as the season heads towards its midway point.

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The return of Lyle Taylor and Chuks Aneke to the first team fold will certainly boost morale amongst the squad, with Bowyer confirming that the duo should be involved in some capacity on Saturday.

Here, we take a look at THREE ways Charlton can look to exploit Middlesbrough this weekend....

Flood the box

One of Boro's key weaknesses that the Addicks simply must exploit if they are to claim all three points this weekend is Middlesbrough's inability to defend set pieces, with the Riverside club having shown it to be a major chink in their armour in recent weeks.

Bowyer should look for his side to flood the box at every opportunity from both corners and free kicks, as this will help to create an overload, which the Boro backline should find hard to deal with from these situations.

Exploit the flanks

With Middlesbrough likely to line up with three at the back, it is imperative that Charlton look to exploit the space that will no doubt be left unattended on the flanks, with Messrs Marc Bola and Jonny Howson likely to be caught drifting too far up field.

Bowyer should instruct the likes of Adam Matthews and Alfie Doughty to stay high and wide, close to the touchline, as this will help to stretch the Middlesbrough backline, whilst Macauley Bonne and Jonathan Leko should be asked to make runs into the channels, as this will pull the defence out of position.

Play more long balls

One other key chink in Middlesbrough's armour is their inability to deal with balls that are played long towards their defence, with the Boro backline having shown an ineptness when defending against sides that play more directly.

Bowyer should look to ask his centre backs to bypass the midfield and play long raking passes up to both Bonne and Leko, who should look to win flick ons and bring Messrs Conor Gallagher and Erhun Oztumer into play in the final third of the field, with chances likely to be created through taking advantage of winning second balls.