Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
South Africa

Preview: Bristol City vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 30 December 2023, 10:58
Two teams in good form will lock horns in the Championship on New Year's Day, with Bristol City welcoming Millwall to Ashton Gate.

Bristol City are currently eighth in the Championship table, three points behind sixth-placed Hull City, while Millwall are 16th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Bristol City have picked up 10 points from their last four Championship matches during an impressive run of form, beating Sunderland, Hull and Watford before drawing 0-0 with Birmingham City on Friday.

Liam Manning's side boast a record of 10 wins, six draws and nine defeats from their 25 Championship matches this season, which has left them in eighth position in the table on 36 points, just three points behind sixth-placed Hull ahead of the next set of fixtures in the second tier of English football.

The Robins have finished 19th, 17th and 14th in their last three campaigns at this level, so it is a surprise to see them currently pushing for a playoff position in the Championship.

Bristol City have struggled for consistency at home this season, winning six, drawing two and losing four of their 12 matches in front of their own supporters, while Millwall have gathered 14 points from their 12 games on the road.

The Robins have already beaten Millwall this season, running out 1-0 winners on August 12, with Matty James registering in the 94th minute of the contest in the English capital.

Millwall, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Norwich City on Friday, with Tom Bradshaw scoring the only goal of the contest in the 18th minute.

The Lions also beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at home on Boxing Day, while they drew with both Huddersfield Town and Stoke City after losing 3-2 at Leicester City on December 13, so the visitors will bring a four-game unbeaten run into this match.

Joe Edwards's side have won seven, drawn eight and lost 10 of their 25 league matches this season to collect 29 points, which has left them in 16th position in the table.

Millwall are eight points clear of the relegation zone and only 10 points off the playoffs, so a strong run in the coming weeks would certainly move them closer to the top six.

The London club finished eighth in the Championship last season, only missing out on the playoffs by a single point, but a lack of goals has been a problem this term, only finding the back of the net on 27 occasions.

Bristol City Championship form:

D

L

W

W

W

D

Millwall Championship form:

L

L

D

D

W

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Bristol City's absentee list is relatively long at this moment in time, with Kai Naismith, Haydon Roberts, Andy King, Ross McCrorie, Rob Atkinson and Ayman Benarous all unavailable for selection.

Head coach Manning could decide to name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Birmingham, although it is likely that there will be a change in attack.

Tommy Conway replaced Nahki Wells off the bench against Birmingham, and the former, who has six Championship goals to his name this term, could now be introduced into the XI.

As for Millwall, there will have to be at least one change to the side that started against Norwich, as George Saville is suspended following his red card in the latter stages of the contest.

Billy Mitchell is likely to be the player to benefit, with the 22-year-old set for a starting role in midfield.

Wes Harding is also out of the match due to a knock, while a calf problem will keep Casper De Norre on the sidelines for at least another couple of weeks.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Williams, Gardner-Hickman; Sykes, Knight, Mehmeti; Conway

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Sarkic; Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper; Norton-Cuffy, Honeyman, Mitchell, Wallace; Emakhu, Bradshaw, Flemming

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Millwall

Millwall have only actually lost four times away from home in the Championship this season, sharing the spoils on five occasions, while Bristol City have dropped points in half of their 12 home league games in 2023-24. A case can be made for either to win it, but we are backing a low-scoring draw on Monday.

Previews by email

Top News

2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania will play the first of their two pre-Euro 2024 friendly matches on Tuesday evening, with Bulgaria their opponents at Stadionul Steaua in Bucharest. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hungary travel to the Aviva Stadium to face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday evening in the first of their two pre-Euro 2024 warm-up fixtures. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Gareth Southgate was without as many as seven players for Sunday's training session as the Three Lions prepare to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Monday's friendly. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that he is not to blame for the club's big-money moves for the likes of Antony and Casemiro during his time at Old Trafford. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Switzerland will play the first of their two pre-Euro 2024 warm-up fixtures on Tuesday evening, with Estonia their opponents at the Swissporarena in Lucerne. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are under pressure to make some first-team sales during this summer's transfer window due to their ongoing financial issues, and a number of high-profile players have been linked with exits. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Before their respective Euro 2024 campaigns take precedence, Austria and Serbia commence their preparations for the tournament on Tuesday, meeting in Vienna for an international friendly. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he wants to bring a new central midfielder to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Before attempting to upset the Euro 2024 Group C apple cart, Slovenia play their first of two warm-up friendlies on Tuesday, hosting Armenia at the Stozice Stadium. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Preparations for Euro 2024 are in full swing for Gareth Southgate's England, who are being put through their paces at St George's Park before jetting off to Germany for the latest edition of the continental championships. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic has revealed that no decision has been made on Jadon Sancho's future. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly assessing whether to make an approach for a defender who is currently plying his trade in Primeira Liga. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has claimed that Luke Shaw "will never be able to play 60 games in a year" due to the severe leg injury that occurred earlier in his career. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that he wants to bring a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Mineiro vs. Bahia (Sunday, 8.00pm) Atletico Mineiro host second-placed Bahia in Sunday's round seven Brasileiro encounter at Arena MRV. 2 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estudiantes and Godoy Cruz return to action in the Argentine Primera Division when they go head to head at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi on Monday. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly enquired about highly-rated Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Germany will be missing the players involved in the 2024 Champions League final when they take to the field against Ukraine in a friendly on Monday night. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Germany will play the first of their two pre-Euro 2024 friendlies on Monday evening, with fellow European Championship participants Ukraine their opponents at the Max-Morlock-Stadion. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, who expects the Eagles to honour a gentleman's agreement to allow him to depart. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid concluded their 2023-24 campaign in style on Saturday evening by winning the Champions League final. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid secured their 15th European Cup courtesy of a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening, with Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior coming up with the goals. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has selected a provisional 29-man squad for this summer's Copa America in the United States. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior scored the goals as Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Saturday night's Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have won the European Cup for the 15th time in their history courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Youssouf Fofana has confirmed his plan to leave Monaco this summer amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.