Millwallvs.Stoke

The Lions will be looking to bounce back from defeat last time out, while the Potters will be aiming to build on Wednesday's win and clean sheet.

Match preview

Alex Neil's Millwall lost just once across all competitions between late January and late February but have started March poorly with three defeats from their last four games.

Most recently, the Lions were beaten 2-0 on the road by Leeds United, though the boss was pleased with the fact that his team did not give up despite conceding an unfortunate own goal with only five minutes on the clock.

That result left Neil's side 13th in the table - eight points behind the playoff spots - and with just nine games to play it will be a tough ask for them to make up the difference to sixth-placed Coventry City.

To make matters worse, the hosts have been in mixed form at The Den, and having lost two, drawn two and won only one of their last five matches on their own turf, it seems unlikely that they will take maximum points this weekend against a team that are desperate to keep their distance from the drop zone.

On the other hand, triumph on Saturday could see Millwall leapfrog both Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday to climb up to 11th in the second tier, where they could find themselves a more manageable five points behind Coventry should results elsewhere prove favourable.

Meanwhile, Mark Robins's Stoke have been in dire form in recent weeks and with one win from their last five games, they will be feeling the pressure to stay ahead of their rivals in the relegation battle.

However, that single victory came on Wednesday against Blackburn Rovers courtesy of a first-half strike from Ipswich Town loanee Ali Al-Hamadi and an important late save from Viktor Johansson.

The three points the Potters earned in midweek has taken them to 19th in the Championship ahead of this weekend's clash, where they are currently level on points with 20th-placed Oxford United and worryingly just four points above Derby County in the relegation zone.

Even more concerning for Robins will be the fact that the visitors have lost three away matches on the bounce leading up to this game, and that they have only won once in the league away from the bet365 Stadium since early November.

An unlikely victory on Saturday could take Stoke above Hull City and Portsmouth, landing them in 17th by the end of the matchday, but defeat may leave them on the brink with only one point between themselves and Derby in the drop zone.

Millwall Championship form:

D

D

W

L

W

L

Millwall form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

W

L

Stoke City Championship form:

W

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

Millwall are likely to be without right-sided attacking midfielder, George Honeyman, this weekend after he picked up an injury against Leeds, so expect Billy Mitchell to join a central trio featuring Casper De Norre and George Saville.

Elsewhere, Liverpool loanee left-back Calum Scanlon and midfielder Ryan Leonard will be back in action this month but will not make this Saturday's match.

Attackers Macaulay Langstaff and Cameil Neghli are also anticipated to return in late March, but while they build fitness, Luke Cundle, Mihailo Ivanovic and Femi Azeez should start on Saturday, though Azeez's inclusion will depend on his recovery from an issue that saw him withdrawn late on at Elland Road.

As for Stoke, they will be missing centre-back Ben Gibson and striker Ryan Mmaee at The Den, but versatile full-back Lynden Gooch could make his first appearance since February 1 after working his way back from injury.

Though Gooch last appeared at right-back, he could line up on the left-hand side on Saturday with Eric Bocat potentially out due to an injury he picked up against Blackburn.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Harding, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan; Norre, Saville, Mitchell; Azeez, Ivanovic, Cundle

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Gooch; Thompson, Burger; Manhoef, Baker, Bae; Al-Hamadi

We say: Millwall 2-2 Stoke City

Neither side are in the strongest form at the moment, but Stoke have more on the line this weekend, so expect them to be motivated to put in a strong performance.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

Previews by email