Preview: Fulham vs. Millwall

Life back in the Championship did not get off to a good start for Fulham, who lost their opening match of the season to Ipswich Town last weekend.

The Cottagers - back in the second tier after a 13-year absence - entered the season as one of the favourites to bounce straight back into the Premier League, but struggled with a new-look side at Portman Road.

Manager Felix Magath named eight debutants for the match after a summer of big change at Craven Cottage, including striker Ross McCormack, who became the most expensive player ever outside the top flight with his £11m move from Leeds United.

The Scot struggled to make an impact last weekend, but he ended last season as the league's top scorer and Magath has already backed him to become the "perfect striker".

Should he and his teammates gel quickly then Fulham should trouble the top of the table this season, and a home match against Millwall this Saturday is one that they will be expected to win.

However, much depends on how quickly Magath can turn his new-look side into a cohesive unit, with more departures and arrivals expected before the end of the transfer window.

The Cottagers weren't in action in midweek for the League Cup first round and have no new injury concerns to worry about, so could name an unchanged side despite the result against Ipswich.

While Fulham struggled in their opener, Millwall exceeded expectations with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Leeds courtesy of goals from Mark Beevers and Shaun Williams.

The Lions were embroiled in a fascinating relegation battle for the vast majority of last season, but manager Ian Holloway has insisted that his side can finish in the top half this time around.

Only time will tell whether such a statement is overly ambitious on his part, but victory away to Fulham would certainly be an early statement of intent.

The signs are good so far for Millwall, who made it two wins from two on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup.

However, Holloway will be without the suspended Matthew Briggs this weekend after the defender scored and got sent off in that midweek victory.

Recent form

Fulham: DWWWWL

Millwall: DWWDWW

Possible starting lineups

Fulham: Joronen; Hoogland, Bodurov, Hutchinson, Stafylidis; Parker, Burgess, David, Hyndman; Dembele, McCormack

Millwall: Forde; Edwards, Beevers, Dunne, Malone; Martin, Williams, Abdou, Woolford; McDonald, Fuller

Sports Mole says: 2-1