Millwallvs.Oxford Utd

Meanwhile, Alex Neil will take charge of his first game as Millwall boss after being officially appointed as Neil Harris's successor on Monday.

Match preview

Millwall will begin the new year under new management after the club confirmed the appointment of Neil on a long-term contract, representing the 43-year-old's first job since leaving Stoke City in December 2023.

Prior to his unveiling, Neil was in the stands at the Coventry Building Society Arena to watch the Lions play out a goalless draw in Sunday's away clash with Coventry City, leaving Millwall with just one win from their last nine matches.

The former Preston North End boss will take over a team that are sitting in 13th place with 29 points from 23 Championship games.

Neil will kick off his Millwall tenure at The Den, with the hosts looking to claim back-to-back home wins after recording a narrow 1-0 win in their most recent home outing on December 21.

The Lions can certainly draw inspiration from the fact they have won each of their last four league games that have taken place on New Year's Day, including a 1-0 victory over Bristol City at the start of 2024.

However, the away team on the day has won each of the previous four league meetings between these two sides since Millwall recorded a 5-0 win against Oxford in September 2000.

Oxford opted to sack their promotion-winning manager Des Buckingham following a 3-1 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on December 15.

Buckingham was dismissed after overseeing just one win in 16 matches, leaving the U's in the Championship relegation zone.

The Oxford board decided to turn to the experience of Rowett, who took charge after interim boss Craig Short had overseen a heavy 4-0 away defeat against promotion-chasing Leeds United.

Rowett wasted little time in making an impact, guiding the U's to a 3-2 Boxing Day win over Cardiff City to end the club's seven-game winless run.

Oxford enjoyed another successful outing in their final match of 2024 against relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle, with Ciaron Brown and Przemyslaw Placheta netting a brace to fire their side to a 2-0 victory, moving the U's three points clear of the danger zone.

After beginning his tenure with consecutive home victories, Rowett now has the tough task of leading Oxford to their first away win of the season, having taken over a side that have drawn two and lost eight of their 10 Championship road trips.

Millwall Championship form:

L

L

L

W

L

D

Oxford United Championship form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Team News

The hosts will be without the injured quartet of Josh Coburn, Calum Scanlon, Jake Cooper and Dan Kelly.

Defender Dan McNamara will miss a fourth consecutive game after picking up a knee problem against Middlesbrough on December 14.

Aidomo Emakhu is unlikely to be involved after he sat out the draw against Coventry with an injury he sustained in the Boxing Day defeat to Norwich.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon defender Ben Nelson and forward Max Woltman due to injury.

Joe Bennett remains sidelined with an ankle problem, although the full-back could return to action later in January.

Rowett could be tempted to select the same lineup he has used for his first two matches despite the fact the games are coming thick and fast at this stage of the season.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Leonard, Tanganga, Wallace, Bryan; De Norre, Saville; Esse, Honeyman, Azeez; Langstaff

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Long, Moore, Brown, Leigh; Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Rodrigues, Goodrham; Harris

We say: Millwall 1-1 Oxford United

Oxford have enjoyed the benefits of the new manager bounce, having recorded back-to-back home wins in Rowett's first two matches in charge.

Written by

Ben Sully

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