Millwall and Preston North End meet at The Den on Saturday afternoon with the two promotion-chasing teams locked on the same points in the Championship standings.
Although the Lions hold the advantage on goal difference, Preston are the form team in the division and have recorded three successive wins.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Millwall finally ended their long wait for successive wins in March, Gary Rowett must have felt that his side were in prime position to kick on and secure a playoff spot.
Instead, the East London outfit have remarkably not scored in four matches, losing 1-0 to Huddersfield Town and Hull City and posting goalless draws with West Bromwich Albion and Luton Town.
In usual circumstances, Millwall would have dropped outside of the playoffs, but many of the teams below them struggled for victories over the Easter period.
That has left Millwall in fifth position on goal difference, and there will be an awareness that victory on Saturday could prove pivotal in the long term.
Rowett's side have still lost just four of their 20 games in the second tier this campaign, a record which is effectively equal to Preston's away efforts.
© Reuters
Ryan Lowe's side have accumulated an impressive 35 points from 20 fixtures away from Deepdale, albeit only two of their 10 wins coming in their most recent five outings.
Overall, Preston have lost just once in 11 games, a run of five victories in six encounters putting the club in contention for a surprise top-six spot.
Seven goals have been netted in triumphs over Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers and Reading, Everton loanee Tom Cannon scoring four of them.
With no teams below 14th position to come, Preston face a tough run-in, yet Lowe will recognise that teams will be fearing his side rather than the other way around.
Team News
© Reuters
Rowett will likely tinker with his forward line as he searches for answers to Millwall's struggles in front of goal.
At least one of Duncan Watmore and Andreas Voglsammer are in line for a recall, with Oliver Burke expected to drop down to the substitutes' bench.
Although youngster Romain Esse has recently been handed greater responsibility, the 17-year-old is unlikely to be handed a first Championship start.
Barring any fitness issues, Lowe could be prepared to name the same Preston XI which edged out Reading on Easter Monday.
Ryan Ledson may be considered for a recall at the expense of Joshua Onomah, but Ben Woodburn will remain among the replacements.
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Long; McNamara, Hutchinson, Cooper, Wallace; Mitchell, Saville; Honeyman, Flemming, Voglsammer; Bradshaw
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Onomah, Whiteman, Johnson, Fernandez; Parrott, Cannon
We say: Millwall 1-1 Preston North End
With these two teams in contrasting form, many will back Preston to edge the contest in East London. Nevertheless, Millwall's recent two defeats have only come by narrow margins, and we feel that the Lions will do enough to earn a draw in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
