Championship | Gameweek 38

Mar 15, 2025 at 12.30pm UK

The Den

Millwall vs Stoke

Match preview

Alex Neil's Millwall suffered just one defeat in all competitions between the end of January and the end of February, but they have not started well in March, losing three of their last four games.

Most recently, the Lions were beaten 2-0 away to Leeds United, although the manager was pleased with his side's resilience despite conceding an unfortunate own goal five minutes from time.

The result left Neil's side 13th in the table - eight points off the play-off places - and with just nine games to go, they will find it difficult to close the gap on sixth-placed Coventry City.

To make matters worse, the hosts have been in mixed form at The Den, losing two, drawing two and winning just one of their last five games on their own turf, so it seems unlikely that they will be able to take maximum points this weekend against a side who are desperate to keep their distance from the relegation zone.

On the other hand, victory on Saturday could see Millwall leapfrog both Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday and move up to 11th in the second tier, where they could find themselves a more manageable five points behind Coventry if results elsewhere go their way.

Mark Robins' Stoke, meanwhile, have been in terrible form in recent weeks and, with one win from their last five games, will be under pressure to stay ahead of their relegation rivals.

However, that one win came on Wednesday against Blackburn Rovers, thanks to a first-half strike from Ipswich Town loanee Ali Al-Hamadi and a crucial late save from Viktor Johansson.

The Potters' three points in midweek took them up to 19th in the Championship, level on points with 20th-placed Oxford United and, worryingly, just four points above Derby County in the relegation zone.

Even more worrying for the Robins is the fact that the visitors have lost three of their last four away games and have only won once in the league away from the bet365 Stadium since the start of November.

An unlikely win on Saturday could see Stoke leapfrog Hull City and Portsmouth and move up to 17th by the end of the day, but defeat could leave them just a point above Derby in the relegation zone.

Recent Performance

Millwall Championship form:DDWLWL

Millwall form (all competitions):DWLLWL

Stoke City Championship form:WLLDLW

Team News

Millwall are likely to be without right-sided attacking midfielder George Honeyman this weekend after he picked up an injury against Leeds, so expect Billy Mitchell to join a central trio of Casper De Norre and George Saville.

Elsewhere, Liverpool loanee left-back Calum Scanlon and midfielder Ryan Leonard will be back in action this month but will not feature on Saturday.

Strikers Macaulay Langstaff and Cameil Neghli are also expected to return at the end of March, but while they build up their fitness, Luke Cundle, Mihailo Ivanovic and Femi Azeez should start on Saturday, although Azeez's inclusion will depend on his recovery from a problem that saw him withdrawn late on at Elland Road.

Stoke will be without centre-back Ben Gibson and striker Ryan Mmaee at The Den, but versatile full-back Lynden Gooch could make his first appearance since February 1 after working his way back from injury.

Although Gooch was last seen at right-back, he could start on the left on Saturday with Eric Bocat possibly sidelined by an injury picked up against Blackburn.

Possible starting lineup

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Harding, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan; Norre, Saville, Mitchell; Azeez, Ivanovic, Cundle

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Gooch; Thompson, Burger; Manhoef, Baker, Bae; Al-Hamadi