Millwallvs.Sunderland

The Lions conquered some of the division's top sides in the capital prior to the international break, whilst the Black Cats have experienced a spell of stalemates as they fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Match preview

After midtable finishes in each of the last five Championship campaigns, Millwall are on a mission to compete for a spot in the Premier League this time around, with Saturday's hosts extending their unbeaten run in the division to seven matches before the final international break of the calendar year.

Currently enjoying a productive loan spell from second-tier rivals Middlesbrough, Josh Coburn opened the scoring for the Lions in Staffordshire against Stoke City last time out, however a second-half effort from centre-back Ben Gibson restored parity for the Potters.

Last tasting defeat on the first day of October, Millwall have propelled themselves up to eighth place in the Championship table with a healthy run of form over the past six weeks, meaning that Neil Harris's troops are only two points behind Watford in the lowest of the playoff spots.

The Lions' 47-year-old head coach has spoken of 'humbling another big club' at The Den this weekend when Sunderland come to town, with the hosts recording back-to-back 1-0 victories over Championship giants Leeds United and Burnley in the capital at the beginning of the month.

Filling the shoes of flying Dutchman Zian Flemming - who jumped ship for the Clarets' Turf Moor base over the summer - Duncan Watmore is leading Millwall's scoring charts with five second-tier strikes so far this season, although the former Sunderland youngster has failed to find the net in each of his last seven appearances.

Following a sobering 16th-placed finish in the Championship at the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, Sunderland are enjoying a French revolution at the Stadium of Light, with forward-thinking head coach Regis Le Bris guiding this weekend's visitors to an excellent start to the term.

Representative of their competitiveness under the stewardship of the former Lorient boss, the Black Cats have enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak in the Championship prior to November's international break, although their last three second-tier fixtures have all ended in draws.

The most recent of those stalemates against managerless Coventry City looked set to be a routine Sunderland victory as goals from Wilson Isidor and left-back Dennis Cirkin fired Le Bris's troops ahead in the opening 45 minutes, however second-period strikes from Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni forced a share of the spoils in the North-East.

Despite failing to win any of their three games in November so far, the Black Cats are sitting pretty of the summit of the Championship standings as the festive period approaches, level on points with second-placed Sheffield United and two points ahead of Leeds United in third.

Sunderland should be relatively confident of earning a positive result in the capital considering their impressive record away from the Stadium of Light of late, with the Black Cats collecting 10 points from their last four Championship outings, conceding just the single goal in the process.

Millwall Championship form:

D

W

W

W

W

D

Sunderland Championship form:

W

W

W

D

D

D

Team News

Despite having an international break to recover, Billy Mitchell is still expected to be absent for Millwall this weekend due to a hip injury.

As a result, there should be a straight shootout between George Saville and summer recruit Ryan Wintle for the spot alongside Belgian Casper de Norre in midfield.

Sunderland's starting XI will require a major shakeup from their draw with Coventry earlier in the month, with Trai Hume and Patrick Roberts both suspended on Saturday because of yellow card accumulation.

Jobe Bellingham is also out of action owing to his dismissal during the goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers, meaning that Chris Rigg and Alan Browne should continue in the engine room with Dan Neil.

A star for the Black Cats in recent years, Daniel Ballard is currently being forced to settle for a spot on the bench because of Chris Mepham's form, although the Northern Irishman could be back in the XI on Saturday if Luke O'Nien shifts to right-back.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, McNamara; De Norre, Wintle, Esse, Honeyman, Azeez; Coburn

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; O'Nien, Mepham, Ballard, Cirkin; Neil, Browne, Rigg; Watson, Mayenda, Isidor

We say: Millwall 1-0 Sunderland

Fresh and raring to fight following the two-week international break, Millwall should have the energy to produce another positive result against a promotion contender at The Den.

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