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Kickoff at The Den: Millwall Hosts Watford in Championship Opener

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

 

 

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TMP Preview: Millwall vs Leeds United

BY JAMES KELLY

League football returns this weekend and it’s the game that we were all waiting for as
Millwall host fierce rivals Leeds United on Sunday lunchtime live on Sky Sports.

 

As Gary Rowett’s lions play their first game of the season against one of the relegated Premier
League teams.

The Lions will be looking to improve on a spirited point away at Birmingham City. Where
Daniel Farke’s Leeds side will be looking to kick start their season after a so-so start to it
following after a 0-0 draw against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Ones to watch

This Leeds side is the second youngest squad in the Championship in terms of average age and are packed with loads of vibrant, Premier League experienced players. The main one to keep an eye on is Italian striker Wilfried Gnonto, who after a lot of unrest surrounding his future has stayed at Elland Road to help guide the club back to the Premier League.

Leeds also strengthened their attack in the summer by adding striker Joel Piroe from Swansea City who is regarded as one of the best strikers in the division and are hoping to have Crysensio Summerville back following an injury at the start of the season. In addition, former Millwall loanees Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell could come back to haunt their former side at the Den. Tottenham loanees Joe Rodon and Djed Spence who have previous Championship experience could prove to be a handful going forward and defensively resolute at the back.

The difference makers

Striker Kevin Nisbet will be looking to continue his goalscoring form for Millwall after netting 2 in 2 following a deflected free kick last time out. Additionally, it would be exactly a year ago on Sunday since Zian Flemming opened his Millwall account against Blackpool. Could Sunday see him open this season’s account and get his season up and running?

The last time we met

You would have to cast your minds back to January 2020 for the last time these two sides locked horns in an entertaining 3-2 win for Leeds at Elland Road. Gary Rowett was into his first season and his Millwall side took the lead to half time. However, a courageous comeback from Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side saw them take all 3 points in what would be their league winning season.

What the bookies think

Despite the home advantage and Leeds’ strange hoodoo against London based football clubs over the years, bookmakers SkyBet have the visitors down as the favourites to claim all 3 points with 11/8 being priced up for a Leeds win. With a Millwall win coming in at 2/1.

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PREVIEW: BLACKBURN ROVERS VS MILLWALL

Millwall travel to Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon to face Blackburn Rovers in the Sky Bet Chanpionship.

The Lions won last time out as they beat Blackpool 2-1 at The Den – Zian Flemming and Benik Afobe with the goals.

Rovers lost 2-0 against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in their last match before the international break.

Millwall will be boosted with the returns of Shaun Hutchinson and Mason Bennett from their respective injuries.

Ryan Leonard is the only player that is currently out injured for the South London club after the return of the duo.

Last time out Millwall drew 0-0 against Blackburn, with the Lions not having a single effort on goal.

PREDICTED LINE-UP: Bialkowski, McNamara, Cresswell, Cooper, M.Wallace, Styles, Saville, Mitchell, Flemming, Afobe, Bradshaw.

IMAGE – MILLWALL FC