Championship Showdown at The Den
This Saturday’s Championship fixture between Millwall and Birmingham City promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to climb the table. Crickex brings you an in-depth preview, including injury updates, tactical insights, and key player battles that could decide this crucial match.
Team News & Injury Updates
Millwall:
Striker Steve Morison remains a doubt due to a stomach injury. If he’s ruled out, Neil Harris may turn to Tom Elliott, who recently returned from injury in their 1-0 defeat to Brentford. Another option could be deploying Aiden O’Brien in a different role, potentially dropping Shane Ferguson. Defenders Byron Webster and Shaun Williams remain long-term absentees.
Aiden O’Brien could play a pivotal role if Morison is sidelined.
Birmingham City:
Record signing Jota is expected to return to the starting XI after recovering from a hamstring issue. The £6.5m forward was an unused substitute in their 1-0 win over Cardiff. Emilio Nsue is also back in contention after international duty with Equatorial Guinea. However, goalkeeper David Stockdale (broken wrist) and Carl Jenkinson (dislocated shoulder) remain sidelined.
Tactical Breakdown
Millwall’s Approach:
Neil Harris’ side has struggled recently, losing their last two league matches after a four-game unbeaten run. Their biggest issue has been converting chances—Steve Morison leads the league in shots (29) without scoring. If he’s absent, Millwall may rely more on set-pieces, where they’ve been less effective compared to Birmingham.
Birmingham’s Strengths:
Steve Cotterill’s men are the only Championship side yet to score from a set-piece this season—all eight of their goals have come from open play. Jota’s return adds creativity, while Isaac Vassell’s pace could exploit Millwall’s defensive gaps.
Key Stats & Historical Trends
- Millwall haven’t beaten Birmingham at home in their last nine attempts (D4 L5).
- Birmingham have scored 19 goals in their last five visits to The Den.
- Steve Cotterill hasn’t won his first two games at a club since his Notts County days—can he break that streak?
Expert Predictions
Crickex Verdict:
With Millwall struggling for goals and Birmingham improving under Cotterill, the visitors have the edge. Expect a tight game, but Birmingham’s attacking options could prove decisive.
Final Score Prediction: Millwall 0-1 Birmingham (Isaac Vassell to score first – 40/1 with Crickex).
Stay tuned for more Championship updates and expert analysis only on Crickex!
