MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 15:50:08| >> :120:15161:15161:
[monks data]
Millwall logo
Championship
Aug 9, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

2-0

Beevers (8'), Williams (86' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Millwall vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship encounter between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den.

There never seems to be a dull moment at Leeds United, especially with eccentric owner Massimo Cellino now pulling the strings at Elland Road.

Last season was a turbulent one for the club - something they are far too accustomed to of late - but the off-field troubles now seem to be behind them.

That, of course, means that they can focus fully on matters on the pitch, starting with their opening match of the 2014-15 season against Millwall on Saturday.

Cellino came in with a view to get the club back into the Premier League within two years, but eyebrows were raised when he appointed former Forest Green Rovers boss Dave Hockaday as manager.

It is expected that the Italian owner will be the decision-maker at Elland Road, however, and it remains to be seen whether such a high level of interference is a good or a bad thing for the club.

No fewer than five players have arrived from Serie A this summer, but the biggest transfer story was the exit of last season's top scorer Ross McCormack. Cellino has since defended his decision to sell the Scottish striker, who joined fellow Championship side Fulham for £11m.

Whether Leeds can replace McCormack's 29 league goals is just one of a number of lingering questions regarding the club's chances this season, but a few attacking debutants are expected to try this weekend.

Things weren't exactly plain sailing for Millwall last season either, with Ian Holloway taking the reins in January and needing a while to turn the club around.

He did eventually manage to steer them away from the relegation zone as the Lions ended the season in 19th place, four points clear of the bottom three.

Hopes are high that they can improve on that showing this time around, however, with Holloway appearing to have done good business during the summer.

The former Crystal Palace boss is confident about his side's chances and expects them to be in and around the playoffs rather than the relegation zone, and a win over a new-look Leeds would be a good start for the Londoners.

Recent form

Millwall: DDWWDW

Leeds: WWLDWW

Possible starting lineups

Millwall: Forde; Edwards, Webster, Beevers, Malone; Abdou, Williams; Martin, McDonald, Woolford; Gregory

Leeds: Silvestri; Byram, Wootton, Pearce, Warnock; Austin, Murphy, Tonge; Bianchi, Morison, Doukara

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:169967: cacheID:169967:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4238:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Forest Green manager David Hockaday looks on during the pre season friendly match between Forest Green and Swindon Town at the New Lawn stadium on July 12, 2013
Read Next:
Hockaday calls for patience with transfers
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!