In a clash between two teams vying for the Championship playoff places, Millwall host Watford at The Den on Wednesday night.

The home side head into the midweek round of fixtures in 11th place, while the visitors are just one place higher, occupying 10th.

Match preview

Millwall made a slow start to the season, picking up just seven points from their first seven games, but they have since shown signs of improvement, and are currently on a two-game winning streak.

The Lions ran out 2-0 winners against Middlesbrough in their last match at The Den, with Zian Flemming scoring a brace, before following it up with a 2-1 win away at Bristol City on Saturday.

It was again Flemming who was the match-winner for his side, capitalising on an error from the Bristol City defence to score his fifth goal of the season, securing an important three points in the process.

The result was a first Championship away win of the season for Gary Rowett's side, who have been much more impressive at The Den, amassing 15 points from seven games on home soil, the fourth-best home record in the league.

Watford are also in the hunt for the playoff places, currently two points from sixth place, aiming to ensure a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

After being relegated in the 2021-22 season, The Hornets have not hit the ground running in the way that they would have liked, already parting company with former manager Rob Edwards after a run of one win in seven games.

Such is the congested nature of the Championship however, two wins in four since bringing in Slaven Bilic means that the visitors are still well within reach of promotion this season, only five points off top-of-the-table Burnley.

A victory in Watford's last match was particularly impressive, defeating fellow promotion hopefuls Norwich City 2-1 at Vicarage Road, courtesy of first-half goals from Imran Louza and Keinan Davis.

With a good recent record against Millwall, only being defeated in one of the last seven meetings between the two sides, The Hornets will be travelling to The Den full of confidence that they can continue their rise up the Championship table.

Team News

Millwall have favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent outings, and they are set to stick by the system that has brought them two consecutive wins.

Tom Bradshaw bagged his first goal of the season in last week's win at Bristol City, and the Englishman is likely to be leading the line again for his side.

Just behind him, Flemming is a nailed-on starter in attacking midfield, after the 24-year-old's fantastic start to life at The Lions, with Billy Mitchell and George Saville being the preferred choices at the base of the midfield.

In terms of Watford's lineup, Tom Cleverley and Mario Gaspar are both still currently suffering with leg injuries, and not expected to be back until the end of the month.

Ismaila Sarr has been the standout player for The Hornets up to this point, and he is expected to start on the left of a three-pronged attacking midfield, behind Keinan Davis in attack.

Imran Louza has scored in his last two games, with the Moroccan midfielder set to accompany Hamza Choudhury in the centre of the pitch.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Long; McNamara, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace; Saville, Mitchell, Burey, Flemming, Voglsammer; Bradshaw

Watford possible starting lineup:
Bachmann; Gosling, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Kamara; Louza, Choudhury, Sema, Asprilla, Sarr; Davis

We say: Millwall 2-2 Watford

There is not a great deal separating the two sides, so we expect this one to finish as a draw.

Millwall have been impressive at home so far during this campaign, but Watford recorded a good win against Norwich last time out, and they will be coming into the game full of confidence.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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