Preview: Millwall vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Lions are on an upward trajectory in eighth position in the standings, the visitors will start the game sitting in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Over the past week or so, it has been suggested that West Brom may look to fill their vacant managerial role by trying to appoint Millwall boss Gary Rowett.

However, with the Lions currently nine points clear of the Baggies in the table and having collected 10 points from a possible 12, Rowett may feel that remaining at The Den is a no-brainer at the present time.

Depending on his own ambitions, that could clearly change, but Millwall head into this fixture having ruthlessly recorded a 3-0 triumph over Watford.

Tom Bradshaw netted a 25-minute hat-trick during the first half, ensuring that Millwall added to recent wins over Middlesbrough and Bristol City.

No team in the second tier have recorded more points over the last four games than the East London outfit, and they will be very much in the automatic promotion mix if they can overcome their struggling opponents.

When caretaker boss Richard Beale begun his temporary reign with a 2-0 triumph at Reading last weekend, there was a feeling that West Brom were well positioned to turn a corner.

That perception soon changed when the Baggies succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against an inconsistent Bristol City side who possessed the second-worst defensive record in the division.

West Brom are now back in the drop zone with just 14 points from 15 games, and the club's hierarchy need to speed up their search for a permanent replacement for Steve Bruce.

On a more positive note, West Brom have suffered just two defeats in seven away games this campaign, just one of those setbacks coming in the last five outings as they prepare to face opponents who have the second-best home record in the division.

Millwall Championship form:

W

L

D

W

W

W

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

D

L

L

D

W

L

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Rowett has no reason to make any changes to a side which he says delivered Millwall's best result of the season in midweek.

Rowett made full use of his substitutions, making four of five changes before the 78-minute mark, and the likes of Callum Styles and Jamie Shackleton will likely have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

In sharp contrast, Beale is expected to make numerous alterations to his West Brom XI with John Swift likely to be among the players who are handed a recall.

Tom Rogic and Jayson Molumby are also pushing for an opportunity in the centre of the pitch, while Karlan Grant may feature in attack if he has recovered from illness.

Darnell Furlong could play at right wing-back, a move which could lead to Matt Phillips being used further forward.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Long; McNamara, Hutchinson, Cooper, Malone; Mitchell, Saville; Voglsammer, Flemming, Bennett; Bradshaw

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; O'Shea, Kelly, Pieters; Furlong, Rogic, Swift, Townsend; Wallace, Grant, Diangana

We say: Millwall 3-1 West Bromwich Albion

Although West Brom possess the quality to post a second away win in succession, it is difficult to ignore Millwall's recent run of results. As the only team to have posted maximum points for three matches, we feel that the Lions will extend that streak at the weekend.

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