Preview: Millwall vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Millwall will be looking to claim their third successive Championship victory when they welcome Luton Town to The Den on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions last tasted defeat on August 21 against Cardiff City, while the Hatters are looking to end a run of three away matches in the league without a win.

Match preview

© Reuters

Millwall have not even reached a third of the way through the 2021-22 campaign and they are once again being labelled as draw specialists, after claiming six from their first 11 league matches; only Exeter City have drawn more at this stage across England's top four divisions.

Shortly before the international break, however, Gary Rowett's side managed to turn recent one-pointers into three, after winning their last two league matches by 1-0 scorelines against Bristol City and Barnsley.

The Lions are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in the Championship, which has seen them climb up to 11th place, three points behind the playoffs.

Another impressive run Millwall will be looking to extend is their nine-game unbeaten streak against Luton, who they last suffered defeat against back in August 2005.

Rowett will be hoping his side can continue their push for the playoffs, and a win at The Den this weekend could see them climb into the top six if other results were to go their way.

© Reuters

Like Millwall, Luton Town have not shied away from a draw so far this campaign, having claimed five in their last seven Championship matches.

The Hatters were unable to build on their comfortable 5-0 victory at home against high-flying Coventry, as they played out a goalless draw against Huddersfield Town in their most recent game before the international break.

Nathan Jones's men currently sit just outside the top half of the table in 13th place, four points behind the playoffs and just one behind Saturday's opponents Millwall.

Luton have struggled in recent years against the Lions, failing to win each of their last six visits to The Den, including a 2-0 defeat in October last year.

The Hatters will require more positive results if they are to climb up the Championship standings, and a victory this weekend could act as a springboard for a consistent run of form as the season progresses.

Team News

© Reuters

Millwall will be hoping to welcome Scott Malone and Mason Bennett back to the matchday squad, after the pair were ruled out before the international break with injuries.

Rowett could name the same starting lineup that won against Barnsley, which would see Jed Wallace and Sheyi Ojo play in advanced midfield roles in behind either Matthew Smith or Benik Afobe up front.

A back three of Daniel Ballard, Shaun Hutchinson and Murray Wallace could all start again in defence, though centre-back Jake Cooper will be hoping he can force his way back into the first XI.

As for Luton, midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu will be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if he has recovered from injury, while Fred Onyedinma and Admiral Muskwe remain sidelined with respective leg and ligament problems.

Jones could stick with a 3-4-1-2 formation this weekend and may decide to name the same starting lineup for the third successive league game.

Strikers Harry Cornick and Elijah Adebayo are set to maintain their partnership in attack ahead of Cameron Jerome and Carlos Mendes Gomes, while Glen Rea and Luke Berry are expected to start in centre-midfield ahead of Henri Lansbury.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Ballard, Hutchinson, Cooper; McNamara, Evans, Saville, M. Wallace; Ojo; J. Wallace, Afobe

Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Lockyer, Naismith, Bradley; Bree, Bea, Berry, Bell; Clark; Cornick, Adebayo

We say: Millwall 1-1 Luton Town

Everything points towards a draw being played out between Millwall and Luton this weekend, and as 27 goals have been conceded between the two sides so far this season, goals at both ends of the pitch can also be expected.

Nevertheless, there is little to separate both teams, who may have to settle for just a point at The Den.