Millwall will be looking to start their Championship campaign strongly as they face Watford at The Den tomorrow.
The day will be emotionally charged, with a special tribute planned for their late goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who tragically passed away this summer at just 26 years old. Sarkic’s family will be in attendance, and a video tribute will precede a minute’s applause to honor his memory.
Team News
Millwall has several key players missing for the opener:
- Murray Wallace is out after suffering an injury in a pre-season match against Nottingham Forest.
- Zian Flemming will miss at least the first week due to a calf injury, but there’s hope he might return before the international break.
- Billy Mitchell is sidelined with a quad issue.
- Japhet Tanganga is suspended following a red card on the last day of the previous season against Swansea.
Watford also have their own absentees:
- Wesley Hoedt is out with a knee injury.
- Yaser Asprilla, who has been the subject of transfer speculation, has been given an extra week’s leave after his participation in the Copa America.
Form
Millwall had a solid if unspectacular pre-season, with wins against Charlton, Bromley, Reading, and Real Murcia but defeats to Nottingham Forest and Southampton. However, they ended last season in excellent form, winning eight of their last 13 games, including the final five in a row.
Watford, on the other hand, had a frustrating pre-season with just two wins. The squad appears unbalanced, and there’s still work to be done in the transfer market. Despite this, Tom Cleverley has provided some stability since taking over.
Predicted Millwall XI
- Jensen: McNamara, Cooper, Hutchinson, Bryan: Saville, De Norre: Esse, Honeyman, Watmore, Bradshaw