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Preview: Millwall vs. Blackpool - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 September 2022, 18:23
Two teams struggling for form in the bottom half of the Championship table will meet at The Den on Saturday when Millwall play host to Blackpool.

The Lions have won only one of their last six league games, while the Tangerines have won just two matches in their last eight.

Match preview

Millwall were unable to follow up their 2-0 win at home to Cardiff City with another three points at The Den as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, strikes from Chris Willock and Stefan Johansen condemned the Lions to their fourth league defeat in their last five matches without scoring.

Millwall have actually accumulated one point more than at this stage last season, but Gary Rowett has plenty to ponder with his side languishing in 19th place in the Championship, just one point above the relegation zone.

The Lions will view Saturday's fixture against Blackpool as a good opportunity to turn their fortunes around as they have won each of their last four home meetings against the Tangerines, including the 2-1 victory in August of last season.

Blackpool also head into this weekend's game off the back of a defeat after they lost 3-0 away at Rotherham United on Wednesday.

The Tangerines went a goal down in the 34th minute courtesy of a strike from Chiedozie Ogbene, before goals in the final eight minutes from Wes Harding and Georgie Kelly saw Rotherham run out comfortable winners at the New York Stadium.

Michael Appleton was unable to pinpoint what went wrong for his team after the match, but expressed his disappointment at his side's lack of 'character' and he expects improvements to be made quickly in the coming weeks.

Blackpool, who sit just one point clear of Millwall in 16th place, have performed better away from home so far this season and have accumulated seven points in their last four league matches on the road.

However, the Tangerines have only won one of their last nine visits to The Den, a 2-0 Championship victory back in August 2012 with former winger Tom Ince scoring both goals.

Millwall Championship form:

Blackpool Championship form:

Team News

Millwall defender Shaun Hutchinson is ruled out with a groin injury, while Ryan Leonard and Mason Bennett are both sidelined with hamstring problems.

Rowett is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup despite defeat in midweek, with Charlie Cresswell, Jake Cooper and Murray Wallace all set to retain their places in the back three.

Benik Afobe and George Honeyman will both be pushing to start after beginning on the bench against QPR, and they could replace Tom Bradshaw and Andreas Voglsammer respectively.

As for Blackpool, they will be without Kevin Stewart (broken foot), Lewis Fiorini (hamstring), Keshi Anderson (knee) and Jake Beesley (ankle) due to injury.

Striker Gary Madine will serve the final game of his three-match ban this weekend, with Jerry Yates set to lead the line once again as a result.

Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino could be handed a start in centre-midfield, with either Callum Connolly or Kenneth Dougall dropping to the substitutes' bench.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Cresswell, Cooper, Wallace; Shackleton, Saville, Mitchell, Styles; Honeyman; Flemming, Afobe

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Grimshaw; Williams, Ekpiteta, Thorniley; Lawrence-Gabriel, Patino, Dougall, Thompson; Corbeanu, Yates, Poveda

We say: Millwall 1-1 Blackpool

Both Millwall and Blackpool will be fired up for Saturday's contest, as they look to return to winning ways and climb into the top half of the table.

However, with little to separate these two sides, a score draw could be on the cards at The Den.

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