Preview: Millwall vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

The pressure is growing on Valerien Ismael as West Bromwich Albion prepare to travel to Millwall on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies are currently fifth in the Championship table and only just clinging on to a playoff place, while the Lions sit 15th.

Match preview

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It is now just one win in six Championship games for West Brom as they lost 2-0 at home to Preston North End on Wednesday night – their first league defeat at The Hawthorns this season.

There have been calls for Ismael to be sacked as the Baggies are now seven points behind the automatic promotion places and only two points ahead of seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.

Albion have lost back-to-back games away from home and have only won once in their last nine matches on the road.

Ismael's side still have the best defence in the Championship having conceded just 22 goals, but they are the lowest scorers in the top seven.

Meanwhile, West Brom have won just one of their last five games against Millwall and were held to a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns by the Lions earlier this season.

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Millwall are currently on their worst run of form since March 2019, having lost their last three league matches in a row along with an FA Cup exit to Crystal Palace.

Their latest defeat came away at Blackpool last weekend as Shayne Lavery's second-half goal secured a 1-0 win for the Tangerines.

However, Gary Rowett's side have lost just one of their last six league games on home turf and have only been beaten three times at The Den in the Championship this season.

Entertainment may be at a minimum in this match, as Millwall rank in the bottom five for goals scored in the second tier but in the top six for fewest goals conceded.

Team News

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Millwall will still be without injured quartet Sheyi Ojo, Tom Bradshaw, Ryan Leonard and Daniel Ballard for this weekend's game, while Jed Wallace and George Saville are major doubts.

Centre-back Alex Pearce is the one recent absentee who is back in contention to feature, having returned to training this week.

Loan signing Oliver Burke will be pushing for his first start after making his debut off the bench against Blackpool last weekend.

West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will continue to miss out due to an "internal issue" so deputy David Button will remain between the sticks.

News that Daryl Dike will be out for around eight weeks has left Callum Robinson and Matt Phillips battling for the central striker role as the Baggies desperately search for reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

Semi Ajayi is back available for selection following Nigeria's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this week.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Cooper, M. Wallace; McNamara, Evans, Mitchell, Malone; Burke, Afobe, Bennett

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Button; Ajayi, Bartley, Clarke; Furlong, Mowatt, Livermore, Townsend; Diangana, Grant; Robinson

We say: Millwall 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

All of the signs point towards this game being a low-scoring affair. Both sides have strong defences but are feeble in attack, while their recent form means neither team will be particularly full of confidence. We are predicting a goalless stalemate.

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