Charlton owe us, we owe Charlton. They came here to spoil Alan Irvine's party last November as he came to celebrate his first game in charge, but then our trip to The Valley in March turned out to be one of the best away days of the season as we recorded a 2-1 away win.
Does any of that make this weekend's fixture any easier to call? Not at all. Two of the division's best when it comes to pure football will go head to head in the second Championship game at Deepdale this season, and a number of neutral observers are already taking a keen interest in the game as it could represent a head-to-head between two of the sides most likely to be there or thereabouts before the end of the season.
For now, though, it's all about getting early points on the board, and whether the game yields victory, defeat or a draw, there will still be 42 nerve-jangling fixtures to complete before everything is settled statistically. Onto Charlton, then...
THE MANAGER - Alan Pardew
A man who broke Prestonian hearts when he led his West Ham team to promotion via the 2005 Play-Off Final has an interesting task on his hands this season as he looks to overcome the disappointment of the Addicks' mid table finish in 2007/08.
Considered by most bookmakers to be a cert for the top six this time round, the edge of the Play-Off spots is where you'll currently find the south Londoners, having won both of their opening home fixtures but lost in the only away clash at Watford.
The boss way buoyed by his side's efforts in seeing off Reading last week, and he told Charlton's official website that he hopes that can rub off on the side ahead of a 'tough trip' this weekend.
"I enjoyed last week and thought it was a fantastic game of football," said Pardew as he reflected on last weekend's win.
"Steve [Coppell] and I set our teams up in the same manner and were on the front foot trying to win the game. It certainly made for a great spectacle and would be nice if that attitude was shown more in the game.
"The most important thing is winning and second-most is entertaining for some people. We do try and cross both boxes but we don't always do it; certainly in the past on away trips we have let ourselves down.
"We hope that isn't the case this weekend and I don't think it will be. I think we will give Preston a really good game. Of course they are in great form themselves so it's a real six-pointer already.
"I am looking for a positive result and hopefully a win as our next game is also a tough game. In my view I think it will be a good game and an open game. Preston play a good brand of football which I like, and I'll be looking forward to crossing swords with them."
LAST MATCH - Charlton 4 Reading 2
Holland 26, Gray 42 pen, Varney 69, Bouazza 72; Sonko 45, Stephen Hunt 54 pen
The tale of three penalties went the way of the home side as Kevin Doyle's miss for Reading proved potentially more damaging to his side's hopes than either of the two spot kicks that were actually converted at The Valley.
Both sides are anxious to regain their top flight status, and they dished up an entertaining encounter that wouldn't have looked out of place on a higher stage.
Matt Holland tapped home from close range to give his side the lead midway through the first half, leading to a sudden flurry of excitement at both ends.
Doyle's penalty struck the bar for the visitors before Andy Gray converted one awarded to the hosts just before the break. The home side's lead was halved, however, in first half stoppage time, as Ibrahima Sonko powered his way to the ball for a stunning headed goal.
Stephen Hunt then netted the third penalty of the game to level matters - albeit at the second attempt after an initial infringment - but Charlton were always in control, and won it as Luke Varney headed his side back into the lead and Hameur Bouazza volleyed in the goal that sealed it.
Reading's trip sunk to even greater depths as Sonko saw red in the game's dying moments.
Charlton: Weaver, Moutaouakil (Semedo 89), Hudson, Fortune, Basey, Sam (Ambrose 82), Bailey, Holland, Bouazza, Varney, Gray. Subs Not Used: Elliot, Shelvey, Dickson.
Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Stephen Hunt, Kebe, Harper, Cisse, Convey (Noel Hunt 73), Doyle (Long 78), Lita (Pearce 85).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Kelly.
LATEST NEWS - Primus Moves To Charlton On Loan
Portsmouth have allowed defender Linvoy Primus to re-join former club Charlton on a three-month loan.
The Addicks wanted to take Primus, who started his career at the club, on a season-long loan to cover for Madjid Bougherra's departure to Rangers.
But Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp called off the deal after saying the 34-year-old was part of his long-term plans at Fratton Park.
Primus has not played a league game for nearly 18 months after knee surgery.
Pompey were happy to let the 34-year-old regain full match fitness in a spell at the Valley as the Addicks target a promotion push from the Championship.
Primus told the Pompey website: "It's good. I have a connection to Charlton and I'm going to be close to my family.
"It's a great opportunity for me to play at a high standard, with a club who have ambitions and are moving forward.
"It's a chance for me to get match-fit and to play regular football, which I need to do."
Preston North End v Charlton Athletic - Coca-Cola Championship, 3pm Saturday 30th August 2008
Click here for full ticket details
