The Football League computer seems intent on making it difficult for fans to follow their teams at Christmas.

Sending Cardiff to South London for a 1.00pm kick-off game on Boxing Day does cause major problems for their fans.

Similarly, Charlton travelled to Yeovil for a Boxing Day fixture a few years back. Perhaps it is time for the authorities to take a fresh look at their scheduling.

Cardiff have had an indifferent season following their return to the Championship and now have former Leyton Orient boss, Russell Slade, at the helm.

Like so many teams in this division, the Bluebirds have no problems scoring goals but they do struggle to keep them out at the other end.

In Federico Macheda, Adam Le Fondre and Kenwyne Jones, they have one of the most potent strike forces in the Championship.

Charlton’s team is built on a sound defensive ethic, so it should be a good match up.

Bob Peeters has hinted that he could make changes for this game and there are a few players at risk.

Nick Pope has had a couple of difficult games recently and could be taken out of the firing line.

Stephen Henderson is still out, so if Peeters does decide to make a change, it will be Neil Etheridge who comes in. Etheridge started nervously in the Under-21 game with Brighton at Ebbsfleet earlier in the week, but was looking confident by the midway point of the first half.

He dealt with the high balls confidently, organised his defence and looked very secure.

Another player at risk is Morgan Fox. Peeters has the option of continuing with Joe Gomez on the right and playing Chris Solly on the left, or bringing Oguchi Onyewu on the left, with Solly reverting to his accustomed right-back berth. Tal Ben Haim and Andre Bikey will form a formidable barrier in the middle.

Johnnie Jackson told us on Wednesday evening that he is fit again and hoping to be involved in the match. The skipper’s leadership has been sorely missed recently and he is like to start in tandem with Yoni Buyens in the engine room.

The duo are likely to be flanked by Johann Gudmundsson and Jordan Cousins.

Igor Vetokele continues to play through the pain barrier and may have a new partner for this game. Callum Harriott was substituted at the break at Blackburn by Joe Pigott and Pigott may be given his first start of the season.

Peeters’ team could look like this:

Etheridge; Gomez, Ben Haim, Bikey, Solly; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Pigott, Vetokele.

Subs: Pope, Fox, Onyewu, Wilson, Bulot, Harriott, Tucudean.

The referee will be Mick Russell from Hertfordshire.

Cardiff blow hot and cold, so predicting the outcome is not easy, but it would be no surprise if the Addicks were involved in another stalemate.