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Millwall logo
Championship
Apr 3, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Charlton Athletic

2-1

Gueye (79'), Hooiveld (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Diarra (67')

Preview: Millwall vs. Charlton Athletic

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Championship meeting between London rivals Millwall and Charlton.

There is more than just bragging rights at stake on Good Friday as South London rivals Millwall and Charlton Athletic clash at The Den.

The Lions are in desperate trouble and are currently seven points away from safety, while the visitors have put together an impressive recent run and have won five out of their last six games.



Millwall

Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

Even the most optimistic Millwall supporters will be fearing for the future of their club after the turbulent season that they have gone through.

They are 23rd in the league table and have not won any of their last nine fixtures, meaning that a return to League One after five years in the Championship is becoming increasingly likely.

In their last outing before the international break, it did seem as if they would pick up three crucial points after taking a two-goal lead over promotion-chasing Brentford.

However, their defensive failings that have been evident this season were exposed again in the closing stages as late goals from Alex Pritchard and Moses Odubajo saw them held to a 2-2 draw.

Their dismal form led to Ian Holloway being dismissed as manager last month, with Neil Harris taking over for the rest of the season.

Harris will be desperate for his team to improve their home record, with vital games against high-flying Watford and relegation rivals Wigan Athletic to come at The Den in the next fortnight.

Recent form: LLLLDD



Charlton Athletic

Head Coach Guy Luzon of Standard Liege looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group G match against HNK Rijeka on September 18, 2014© Getty Images

Charlton must be wishing that there were more games left to play this season, as there are no teams in the Championship in better form.

The Addicks have picked up five wins from their last six matches, but a late bid for promotion looks out of their reach, given that they sit 13 points away from sixth-placed Ipswich Town.

Such a run looked unlikely just a few months ago when Bob Peeters was sacked after guiding the club to just one win in 12 games.

His replacement Guy Luzon did not get off to the best of starts to his Charlton career, but he has now won the backing of the club's supporters.

With seven games left to play the Israeli will want his players to keep up their fine run of form and hit the ground running when the new season starts.

Recent form: WWWLWW



Team News

Nicky Bailey of Millwall battles with Adam Clayton of Huddersfield during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Huddersfield Town at The Den on August 17, 2013© Getty Images

Millwall will be without Diego Fabbrini, who ended his loan spell at the club to join Birmingham City last week.

However, Nicky Bailey is expected to be available after returning to training following his recent back injury.

Charlton could welcome back captain Johnnie Jackson, who has been ruled out since mid-February, but Yoni Buyens is suspended after picking up a 10th booking of the season.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Forde, Cummings, Nelson, Hooiveld, Harding, Upson, Abdou, Williams, Woolford, Gregory, O'Brien

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup
Henderson, Solly, Fox, Gomez, Johnson, Gudmundsson, Diarra, Cousins, Bulot, Eagles, Watt



Head To Head

This is a fixture that Millwall have dominated in recent years and they are unbeaten in their last seven games against Charlton.

The Addicks have only won on 10 previous occasions against their neighbours and in the six previous clashes between the teams they haven't even found the back of the net.

It was a familiar story in the reverse fixture last November, as the Lions held on to claim a goalless draw at The Valley.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Millwall 1-2 Charlton Athletic

Charlton are in such a great run of form and they must be considered the strong favourites to beat a struggling Millwall outfit. They won't have had many better chances to beat their London rivals in the last 19 years, so we're backing Luzon's men to pick up the three points.



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Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013
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