Both looking to build on Wednesday night wins, Stoke City and playoff hopefuls Millwall will clash for a Championship battle at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Potters recorded a comfortable success at Blackburn Rovers earlier this week, whilst the Lions defeated promotion favourites Leeds United in the capital.
Match preview
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Since the round-of-16 loss in the EFL Cup to Premier League strugglers Southampton in the closing moments of October, Stoke City have commenced their November schedule in sensational fashion, recording back-to-back victories over Derby County and most recently Blackburn in the Championship.
A daunting trip to Lancashire and Ewood Park was on the cards for the Potters on Wednesday night, when following a goalless first half the second-tier contest burst into life, with strikes from winger Million Manhoef and leading marksman Tom Cannon securing a 2-0 win over the Rovers.
After collecting a maximum of six points from their opening two second-tier matches in November, Stoke City have moved up to 14th in the Championship table ahead of the final international break of the calendar year, just four points behind sixth-placed Watford in the lowest of the playoff spots.
The Potters will be confident of recording a positive result at their Staffordshire base this weekend considering that they are currently enjoying a three-game unbeaten run at the bet365 Stadium, a spell which includes the 6-1 demolition of bottom side Portsmouth on October 2.
![Millwall manager Neil Harris pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/neil-harris.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Millwall manager Neil Harris pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Parachuted back into the managerial hotseat of Millwall in February, Neil Harris is threatening to lead a promotion charge to the Premier League in the English capital after helping his troops avoid relegation to the depths of League One football just months earlier.
The Lions have produced two statement performances at The Den over the past week, beating recently-relegated Burnley on Sunday afternoon courtesy of a Jake Cooper effort, three days before fellow defender Japhet Tanganga found his shooting boots to conquer Leeds.
In the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak in the second tier, Millwall have propelled themselves up to fifth in the Championship standings ahead of Saturday's trip to the Potteries, one point ahead of seventh-placed West Bromwich Albion and six points back from Sheffield United in second.
Despite their stellar recent form, the travelling supporters at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday might not be completely confident considering that their men have won just one of their six Championship away matches so far in 2024-25, with Harris's side losing 1-0 at Cardiff City last month.
Team News
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Stoke remain without the services of former Bournemouth man Ben Pearson, with the midfielder expected back at some stage this month following a hamstring injury.
The Potters are also unable to call upon the talents of ex-Celtic prodigy Bosun Lawal, who is currently struggling with a troublesome back issue.
After keeping a lively Blackburn attack at bay on Wednesday night, the hosts should stick with a centre-back pairing of Ben Gibson and Ashley Phillips.
A stalwart in the forward line of Millwall under the stewardship of former boss Gary Rowett, Tom Bradshaw (muscle) has featured just three times in the Championship so far this term due to injury.
The Lions are also short of options in the middle of the park due to the absence of academy graduate and fans' favourite midfielder Billy Mitchell.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Gibson, Stevens; Manhoef, Moran, Burger, Koumas; Bae, Cannon
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, McNamara; Wintle, Saville; Esse, Honeyman, Watmore; Langstaff
We say: Stoke City 1-0 Millwall
After hard-fought wins over Burnley and Leeds at The Den, we feel that Millwall could run out of steam on the road in Staffordshire on Saturday afternoon.
A drop in energy levels from the Lions should open the door for Stoke to collect their third straight victory in the Championship ahead of the international pause.
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Carter White
