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Preview: Millwall vs. Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Championship clash between Millwall and Rotherham United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Millwall will host relegation-threatened Rotherham United in the Championship on Good Friday looking to secure all three points and stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The Lions, who currently sit 10th in the table, have lost only four of their 19 home matches so far this season but face a Millers outfit that have won five of their last seven away games – as many as in their previous 70 on the road in the second tier of English football.


Match preview

Millwall manager Gary Rowett pictured in February 2021© Reuters

Millwall's hopes of sneaking into the playoffs remain alive as they secured a 1-0 home victory over fellow top-six rivals Middlesbrough before the international break.

An unfortunate own goal from Boro's Grant Hall was enough to separate the two sides and that result moved the Lions 10 points behind sixth-placed Reading, with eight Championship matches left to play.

Manager Gary Rowett was pleased with his side's "outstanding" defensive display at the Den. The 47-year-old will now be hoping that the Lions can kick on and claim their fifth home win since the turn of the year, having only won one of their opening 13 home matches between the start of the season and January.

Millwall have made a name for themselves as draw specialists in the Championship this season, picking up a solitary point in 16 of their 38 league matches, with 10 of those draws at The Den.

The Lions beat Rotherham 1-0 at the New York Stadium earlier this campaign and another victory on Friday would see them record their first league double against them since the 2006-07 season.

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured on January 16, 2021© Reuters

Two away victories in their last three matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City, along with up to four games in hand on their rivals, has offered Rotherham United hope of avoiding an immediate return to League One.

Goals from Michael Smith and Richard Wood either side of half time helped the Millers claim a much-needed win at Ashton Gate before the international break, which leaves Paul Warne's side just three points behind Birmingham City, who sit just outside the relegation zone.

Only league leaders Norwich City (six) have won more Championship away games than Rotherham (five) in 2021, and no team has conceded fewer goals on the road than the Millers (four) in this period.

Rotherham are also unbeaten in four of their last six visits to the Den, including an impressive 6-0 win back in 2002.

Victory for Warne's side on Friday could see them climb out of the bottom three for the first time since mid-February if Birmingham were to lose against Swansea City.

Millwall Championship form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Rotherham United Championship form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W


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Team News

Millwall's Kenneth Zohore in action with Sheffield Wednesday's Liam Palmer on February 6, 2021© Reuters

Millwall boss Rowett has confirmed that both Kenneth Zohore and Maikel Kieftenbeld will be available for selection on Friday after both players have suffered with long-term injuries.

Zohore has missed the last nine matches with a calf problem, while Kieftenbeld – who has been out for 10 games with a knock – has been plagued by injury throughout this campaign, making only four appearances since signing for the Lions in September.

Midfielder Ryan Leonard is not expected to make the matchday squad as he is still recovering from an ankle injury.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI after starting the last three matches on the bench.

Rotherham's Ben Wiles picked up a hamstring strain in the defeat to Watford and was an unused substitute in the win at Bristol City, but Warne could hand the midfielder a start on Friday.

Jamie Lindsay, Chiedozie Ogbene and Clark Robertson are all expected to be back in training this week and could be available to make the squad.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper; Romeo, Evans, Woods, Mitchell, Malone; Wallace, Bennett

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Ihiekwe, Wood, A. MacDonald; Harding, Wing, Barlaser, Wiles, Giles; Ladapo, Smith


SM words green background

We say: Millwall 1-1 Rotherham United


Rotherham have lost seven of their eight away fixtures with top-half clubs and in six of these matches they failed to score. However, Millwall have been beaten in 70% of their home games against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Friday's fixture is set to be a tight encounter and with little to separate the two sides, a score draw could be on the cards.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


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Millwall manager Gary Rowett pictured in February 2021
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich41279565283790
2Watford412410759273282
3Swansea CitySwansea412291050311975
4Brentford402013771403173
5Bournemouth4120111066402671
6Barnsley412181254441071
7Reading411991356451166
8Cardiff CityCardiff4116111457451259
9Millwall411416114140158
10Middlesbrough41169164845357
11Queens Park RangersQPR411511154850-256
12Stoke CityStoke411413144546-155
13Luton TownLuton40158173546-1153
14Bristol City41155214055-1550
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest411213163439-549
16Preston North EndPreston41146214155-1448
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn411211185247547
18Birmingham CityBirmingham411112183150-1945
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield411111194362-1944
20Derby CountyDerby411110203046-1643
21Coventry CityCoventry401012183656-2042
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham38116214152-1139
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds41118223454-2035
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe4189243064-3433

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