TOMORROW is fixture release day across the EFL. A day that everyone looks forward to as teams and fans can prepare what trips they want to take and when they face their big rivals.
I for one am a huge fan of fixture release day, it’s such an exciting day knowing who you will be facing on the opening day, the Christmas period, the hard periods and of course that final day of the season.
The Lions have mainly enjoyed the opening day of the campaign since their return to the second tier in 2017, losing just once against Nottingham Forest, that was the first season, since then, the Lions are unbeaten on the opening day.
A draw with Middlesbrough started the 2018/19 campaign which ended with Lions finishing 21st in the table following a difficult season. Neil Harris begun his final few months in charge at The Den with an opening day win over Preston.
2020/21 and 2021/22 both started with draws, a dull 0-0 at home to Stoke in 20/21 set the tone for that campaign as the Lions would draw a whopping 17 games that season. 2021/22 saw the return of fans following the Coronavirus pandemic and the Lions faced QPR on the opening day off the campaign. A sensational Jed Wallace strike saw the goalscorer run the whole way to other end to celebrate in front of the away fans in an iconic celebration.
Meanwhile, last season Gary Rowett’s men kicked off in the best possible way with a commanding 2-0 win over Stoke City at at The Den. Two goals from Charlie Cresswell, making his debut led the Lions to victory.
Take a look here at the Lions’ record on the opening day of the campaign over the last ten years.
2022-23: Millwall 2 Stoke City 0
2021-22: QPR 1 Millwall 1
2020-21: Millwall 0 Stoke City 0
2019-20: Millwall 1 Preston 0
2018-19: Millwall 2 Middlesbrough 2
2017-18: Nottingham Forest 1 Millwall 0
2016-17: Millwall 3 Oldham Athletic 0
2015-16: Shrewsbury Town 1 Millwall 2
2014-15: Millwall 2 Leeds United 0
2013-14: Millwall 0 Yeovil Town 1
Just two defeats and five wins in the last ten years on the opening day of the season has meant that Lions fans have been rather looking forward to the opening days of the season.
It’s also worth noting that Millwall have enjoyed the luxury of playing their season opener at home on seven of the last ten occasions losing just once in 2013/14.
Tomorrow we will find out who the Lions will be facing on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.
Image: Millwall FC