Millwall will be seeking to end a frustrating six-match winless streak when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to The Den for a Championship fixture this Saturday. The Lions, currently managerless, are in the midst of a turbulent period that has seen them slip down the league standings in recent weeks. On the other hand, their visitors, Blackburn Rovers, are riding high on a fantastic run of form, having secured six consecutive victories, and they will arrive at The Den brimming with confidence.
Millwall's current predicament stems from the departure of their manager, Neil Harris, who left the club after their most recent defeat to Middlesbrough. Prior to that match, Harris had already announced his decision to step down following the home fixture against Sheffield United. As a result, his tenure ended with a dismal run of three successive 1-0 losses, a streak that followed earlier defeats to Coventry City. Under Harris's guidance, the club had struggled to find consistent form, which ultimately led to his exit. With just 13th place in the table, Millwall find themselves in a precarious position, eight points clear of the relegation zone but also nine points adrift of the playoff spots. Despite the setbacks, the Lions still have enough time and quality to turn things around, provided they can address their recent shortcomings.
The appointment of David Livermore as interim manager offers a glimmer of hope for Millwall's supporters. Livermore, who previously served as Harris's assistant, now finds himself in charge of the team as they look to arrest their slide. His first task will be to restore confidence in the squad and inspire a much-needed victory, as Millwall have not tasted success since a 3-1 win over Preston North End on November 6. A key area of focus will be improving the club's attacking output. Despite boasting a solid defensive record for much of the season, Millwall have struggled in front of goal, failing to score more than once in any of their matches since that win over Preston. This lack of firepower has been one of the primary reasons behind their inability to collect maximum points in recent weeks. If Livermore can find a way to unlock the potential of his attacking players, then Millwall will certainly be a more dangerous proposition moving forward.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers are enjoying a rich vein of form that has seen them surge up the Championship table in recent weeks. After enduring a brief spell of four games without a win, the Lancashire club have bounced back in spectacular fashion, racking up six consecutive victories. The start of this impressive run came with a dominant 3-1 win over Cardiff City, a result that seemed to ignite their campaign. Following that, Rovers embarked on a four-match sequence of narrow 1-0 victories against Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Hull City, and Sheffield Wednesday, showing their ability to grind out results when necessary. Most recently, Blackburn continued their fine form with another 2-0 win at home to Luton Town, which saw goals from Amario Cozier-Duberry and Owen Beck securing yet another clean sheet.
This recent run has propelled John Eustace's side up to fifth place in the Championship, with 37 points from 20 games. As a result, they are now in a strong position to challenge for promotion, sitting just three points clear of seventh place and five points behind the automatic promotion spots. Rovers have been particularly impressive defensively, having kept clean sheets in 10 of their 20 league fixtures this season. This solid defensive foundation has allowed them to remain competitive even in matches where they have not been at their best offensively. With such a strong defensive unit, Blackburn will be confident that they can keep out a Millwall side that has struggled to score goals in recent matches.
For Blackburn, this match represents another opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and continue their push for a playoff spot, if not a place in the automatic promotion positions. Their recent form against Millwall also offers further optimism. In their last four encounters with the Lions, Blackburn have emerged victorious in three of them, including a 2-1 triumph on their last visit to The Den in October 2023. This recent record will no doubt bolster the confidence of Eustace and his players as they prepare to face a Millwall side that is currently in transition following Harris's departure.
Despite their managerless status, Millwall are by no means a team to be taken lightly. They still have a squad filled with talent, and under Livermore's stewardship, they will be determined to halt their winless run and get their season back on track. However, they will need to address their attacking woes and find a way to breach Blackburn's solid defense if they are to stand any chance of claiming all three points. The likes of Femi Azeez and Benik Afobe will need to step up and provide the attacking spark that has been lacking in recent weeks. The support of the home crowd will also be crucial, as Millwall will need all the encouragement they can get to overcome their current struggles.
For Blackburn, they will be hoping to continue their excellent form and maintain their place in the top six. Their defense, led by the likes of Darragh Lenihan and Dominic Hyam, will be tasked with keeping Millwall at bay, while their attackers will look to exploit any gaps in the Lions' defense. Amario Cozier-Duberry and Owen Beck, who have been key contributors in recent weeks, will be looking to add to their goal tally and ensure that Blackburn leave The Den with another win. With their current form, Blackburn are undoubtedly the favorites heading into this clash, but Millwall will be hoping that a change in manager can provide the spark needed for a much-needed victory.
In summary, this match is a clash between two sides heading in different directions. Millwall, under new interim manager David Livermore, will be desperate to end their winless streak and address their attacking struggles. Blackburn, on the other hand, are in the midst of a six-match winning run and will be confident of continuing their excellent form. While Millwall will have the home advantage, Blackburn's recent form and solid defensive record make them the favorites for this encounter. However, football is often unpredictable, and Millwall will be hoping to prove that they can still compete at a high level despite their recent setbacks. This encounter promises to be an intriguing contest, with both sides having plenty to play for as they head into the busy festive period.
