Millwall and Preston North End square off at The Den on Saturday afternoon looking for the win they need to surge up the Championship standings.
With just one victory apiece, these two teams currently occupy 18th and 21st position in the table.
Match preview
![Millwall manager Neil Harris pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/neil-harris.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Millwall manager Neil Harris pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Having ended last season with five successive victories, there were high hopes that Millwall could return for 2024-25 in the same form.
Instead, the opening six weeks of the campaign have been a struggle, the Lions racking up just one win and five points.
On a positive note, Neil Harris' side appear to have turned a corner with the aforementioned five points coming from the last four fixtures.
As well as a 3-0 triumph over Sheffield Wednesday, away draws have been posted at Hull City and Queens Park Rangers respectively.
Furthermore, Millwall have conceded just twice in that quartet of contests, neither of which came in the second half.
Meanwhile, Preston are still adjusting to life under Paul Heckingbottom, who arrived at Deepdale with the club having lost their opening two games.
Just like their next opponents, five points have since been accumulated from the last four games, albeit the two draws coming since the international break.
Preston can be more than satisfied with each, though, given they were away at Middlesbrough and at home to unbeaten rivals Blackburn Rovers.
In the long term, however, this is a team that is without an away victory since March 16, a period spanning eight matches.
Team News
© Imago
Millwall will be without the trio of Billy Mitchell, Tom Bradshaw and Josh Coburn for this contest.
Harris could plausibly select the same side that started against QPR, although Mihailo Ivanovic could be handed his full debut in the final third.
Heckingbottom will have to make at least one change to his Preston XI courtesy of Sam Greenwood's sending off against Blackburn.
Duane Holmes or Will Keane appear likely to be recalled in the final third, with the rest of the team potentially staying the same.
With Milan Osmajic under investigation for biting Blackburn's Owen Beck, the forward may not play any part of this contest.
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Leonard, Cooper, Tanganga, Bryan; Saville, De Norre; Esse, Honeyman, Watmore; Langstaff
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Whiteman, McCann; Frokjaer-Jensen, Holmes, Bowler; Riis
We say: Millwall 1-2 Preston North End
Although Preston are yet to win on their travels in the league, earning a draw at Middlesbrough was a step in the right direction. With that in mind, we are backing them to edge out their hosts in a competitive encounter in the capital.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
