- Charlton Athletic U21 have 3 points from 4 games and sit in the lower mid-table of the PDL table.
- Millwall U21 are stuck near the bottom with a 2-8 goal difference and no points from 3 matches, so the pressure is on.
- Charlton have fared better in the last 2 head-to-head meetings, winning 2-0 at home in Feb 2026 and 4-2 away in Oct 2025.
Derby day could be a decent game
The Professional Development League for 2026-2027 features a South-London derby featuring Charlton Athletic U21 and Millwall U21s, two sides with the experience of playing each other regularly in local derbies where bragging rights are a big thing.
This fixture has a bit of a bite to it, so we're expecting both teams to score in this one, which is worth backing at 7/20 here. That's a short odds that reflects the fact that we are going to get a proper clash of styles when the Addicks go up against the Lions on Tuesday.
While the Millwall coaching group consists of a number of academy coaches who've come through the system and tend to play a well-organised, physical and direct brand of football, Chris Lock's Addicks are a possession-first side that uses a 3-5-2 base to get a quick transition and fluid patterns when in the final third.
Millwall must nick a goal in transition
The problem with Millwall's system is that they are a relatively flat 4-4-2 shape that have some good wingers, but have conceded too many goals and created few at the other end recently.
The Lions have scored just twice in the 2026-2027 snapshot of the PDL and appear to be a side in need of a reliable goalscorer. Millwall's side have looked poor in their last five competitive games, losing 0-3 at home to Bolton U21, 1-0 away at Fleetwood Town U21.
Addicks need to find consistency
Charlton have 3 points from 4 and are in the lower mid-table spots in the early PDL standings. The Addicks have shared the goals around this season, but have not found consistency in their results. Lock's side have won 3-1 against Sheffield United U21 and have also recorded three draws and a narrow loss.
Ellis McMillan looks the main threat, emerging as one of Charlton's leading early-season goals contributors, with Reuben Reid also a useful attacking outlet adding energy and another route to goal. Lock's team have looked more assured when they can control possession, which suits home turf in this derby.
Lock’s men look likely to nick it
The odds on this game are tight, with Charlton around 3/5 favourites, Millwall 7/2 and the draw 16/5. We're going with a home win here as the odds are on the side of Charlton, who have had the edge in the recent meetings and have more momentum.
A 2-0 or 2-1 Addicks win makes sense for the correct score as it's unlikely to be a walkover, but Charlton will have the edge if Lock's set-up clicks and they get the ball moving from back to front. Kaheim Dixon adds pace and a different dimension to Charlton's attack and will be an extra outlet in transition when the game opens up, which it is sure to do at some stage in a tense derby.
