MX23RW : Wednesday, December 9 15:02:26| >> :120:73244:73244:

Preview: Birmingham City vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Birmingham City and Millwall, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Birmingham City and Millwall will both be looking to bring an end to their winless runs when they face off at St Andrew's on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts are without a victory in four, while Millwall have gone six matches since last picking up all three points heading into this clash in the West Midlands.


Match preview

Millwall's Jed Wallace celebrates scoring against Reading in the Championship on November 25, 2020© Reuters

Despite collecting just four points from the last 15 on offer since beating Preston North End 2-0 last month, Millwall are still well in the early promotion mix.

The Lions, now managed by ex-Blues boss Gary Rowett, are positioned 10th and are only four points behind Reading in the final playoff spot.

Rowett admitted on the back of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the Royals that his side have not picked up as many wins as he would have liked.

Jed Wallace's superb first-half free kick was cancelled out by Lucas Joao as Reading - previously without a point in four matches - held on for a share of the spoils.

That was Millwall's fourth draw in a row, after also playing out stalemates with Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City in November.

Away from home, the capital club have won two and drawn two of their last four games, keeping a clean sheet in the last three of those.

Birmingham City's Scott Hogan celebrates scoring on November 7, 2020© Reuters

In fact, they have kept 11 shutouts in 16 away league outings in 2020, which is the most by a Championship side in one year since Brighton & Hove Albion's 12 in 2013.

This is a fixture Millwall tend to do well in, too, as they are unbeaten in their last four league trips to St Andrew's, winning three in a row prior to last term's 1-1 draw.

Birmingham have themselves played out back-to-back away draws, against Coventry City and Luton Town, and are down in 17th place.

City probably should have come away from Kenilworth Road with a first win since October, but Ivan Sunjic was denied from a one-on-one in second-half stoppage time, although Neil Etheridge did have to produce a string of fine saves before that.

An away point is never a bad result in the Championship, of course, but at home the Blues have lost back-to-back matches, giving them the sixth-worst record in the division.

Birmingham City Championship form: WWLLDD

Millwall Championship form: WLDDDD


Team News

Troy Parrott in action for Republic of Ireland on November 14, 2019© Reuters

Birmingham pair Adam Clayton and Zach Jeacock are carrying ankle injuries and will play no part in this game.

Kristian Pedersen was back in the squad last time out and will be looking to play a part this weekend.

Jake Clarke-Salter got 75 minutes under his belt on his return to action against Luton, but it remains to be seen if he is fit enough to start again.

As for Millwall, Connor Mahoney and Mason Bennett remain fitness doubts after missing the draw with Luton.

Troy Parrott led the line in midweek on what was his first Championship start since joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but Aitor Karanka may opt to bring in Matt Smith.

Mahlon Romeo remains sidelined, meanwhile, so Ryan Leonard will fill in at right-back, and striker Kenneth Zohore is also out.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, Roberts, Dean, Clarke-Salter, Friend; Gardner, San Jose, Sunjic; Hogan, Jutkiewicz

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Leonard, Hutchinson, Cooper, M.Wallace; Woods, Williams, J.Wallace, Thompson, Malone; Parrott


SM words green background

We say: Birmingham City 1-0 Millwall

Birmingham have picked up just one victory in their last seven league meetings with Millwall, drawing two and losing four of those.

However, Millwall boss Rowett is winless in his last four games against his former side and we can see Birmingham snatching a much-needed win on Saturday.


Top betting 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


ID:423857:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Birmingham and Millwall?

Birmingham City
47.5%
Draw
23.8%
Millwall
28.8%
80
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Birmingham City manager Aitor Karanka pictured on October 4, 2020
Read Next:
Karanka admits Neil Etheridge "belongs in the Premier League" after Luton draw
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bournemouth1787229161331
2Norwich CityNorwich169432115631
3Swansea CitySwansea178631910930
4Reading169342619730
5Stoke CityStoke178452420428
6Brentford167632415927
7Watford167632012827
8Bristol City168351916327
9Cardiff CityCardiff177552314926
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn1674531191225
11Middlesbrough156631610624
12Huddersfield TownHuddersfield177372222024
13Luton TownLuton176561420-623
14Millwall174941414021
15Preston North EndPreston166282225-320
16Birmingham CityBirmingham164751214-219
17Barnsley165471721-419
18Queens Park RangersQPR174671825-718
19Coventry CityCoventry174671826-818
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham1734101525-1013
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest16349919-1013
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe16259923-1411
23Derby CountyDerby16259822-1411
24Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds17368917-89

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!