The Addicks arrive in Hertfordshire winless in their last six games, but Dionisi is under no illusions about the size of the challenge at hand.

Speaking ahead of the game, the Italian head coach acknowledged his counterpart, Nathan Jones' credentials, and offered an insight into what he is expecting from the game.

"I don't know the manager [Nathan Jones]," he admitted, "But I know this [that he is a former Luton boss]. I know his experience, and I know Charlton.

"Charlton are a good team with a lot of strength. They play quickly and have a very good mentality for the Championship. It will be difficult.

"Yes, [it will be a battle]," he insisted. "It's football, but for us, now, football is life."

Watford are looking to put an end to their own run of poor form, with recent thrashings against Burnley and Cardiff leading to mass calls for a change in the club's ownership.

Dionisi has also come under pressure, and even faced allegations that he had been sacked after Tuesday's defeat in south Wales, but news broke on Wednesday that he retained the immediate backing of Gino Pozzo, the club's owner.

But the Italian cannot afford the current spiral in form to continue, and a positive result against Charlton would go a long way to secure his Watford future beyond the weekend.