Preview: Millwall vs. Hull City - prediction, team news, lineups

Millwall continue their late charge for the Championship playoff places when they welcome Hull City to The Den on Monday afternoon.

The hosts were held to a draw on Good Friday but still managed to close the gap on the top six, whilst the visitors won for a second successive game as they continue to finish the season fairly strongly.

Match preview

© Reuters

After initially netting at the wrong end of the pitch following a slow start from his side at Preston North End on Friday, Millwall's Murray Wallace then atoned for his own goal by finding the back of the net at the right end of the pitch midway through the first half at Deepdale.

The Lions finished the game strongly in the second 45, and were somehow denied a victory when Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen pulled off a stunning triple save to deny them the three points, with Maikel Kieftenbeld then striking the woodwork on the rebound.

It was a hard fought point for Gary Rowett's side against a team that had previously won three on the bounce at home, and thanks to seven of the top eight sides dropping points on a hectic Good Friday too, they were not left behind in the race for the top six.

In fact, with sixth-placed Sheffield United losing, Millwall actually gained a point in the almighty battle for the playoffs to move to within three of their unexpected goal.

With Monday's home game appearing favourable on paper, as well as outings against Birmingham City and relegation-threatened Peterborough United to follow, there is an argument to suggest that Millwall stand a good chance of breaking into the top six in the coming weeks.

Rowett will continue to keep level heads within his squad though, despite this being one of his side's best-ever opportunities of reaching the Premier League for the first time.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, visitors Hull have nothing left to play for other than pride for the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Three wins from their last five matches have confirmed their survival against the drop, with 16 points now separating themselves from Derby County inside the relegation zone with just four games left to play.

As a result, focus will be turning towards the almighty rebuild on the hands of manager Shota Arveladze this summer, with the upcoming transfer window the first under the stewardship of their new owners.

This did not stop the Tigers from putting in an impressive display against Cardiff City on Friday however, with early goals from Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Lewie Coyle setting them on their way to a fairly comfortable 2-1 victory against similarly-matched opponents.

Although there appears to be little on the line, there is certainly nothing stopping Hull from spoiling the occasion for their hosts at The Den, just as they did when they shocked Middlesbrough 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium in their previous game too.

Having the weighted pressure of the threat of relegation taken off their shoulders can prove dangerous for opposing teams in football, and this has definitely been the case at Hull in recent outings.

Team News

© Reuters

Millwall forward Mason Bennett remains a huge doubt to return for the hosts on Monday after missing the last four games with a calf injury.

The important Shaun Hutchinson returned to the bench at Preston following his six-week absence, but after being an unused substitute, he is unlikely to start in place of Murray Wallace, Jake Cooper or Daniel Ballard.

January arrival Luke Freeman nears a return to the squad, and although it would be a surprise to see him involved, there are no fresh injury concerns for Rowett to contend with.

As for the visitors, Josh Emmanuel and Randell Williams remain unavailable for consideration, whilst Mallik Wilks remains a doubt to feature as well.

Therefore, the goalscoring burden will fall on the shoulders of Sayyadmanesh once more, but he will be full of confidence after netting his first goal for the club on Friday.

The Iranian will be supported in attack by George Honeyman and the highly-coveted Keane Lewis-Potter, with the latter registering nine goals and three assists in the Championship so far this season.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Ballard, Cooper, M Wallace; McNamara, Mitchell, Kieftenbeld, Malone; J Wallace; Bradshaw, Afobe

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Ingram; Jones, McLoughlin, Greaves; Coyle, Slater, Smallwood, Fleming; Honeyman, Lewis-Potter; Sayyadmanesh

We say: Millwall 2-0 Hull City

Although all of the pressure here will be on Millwall's shoulders, and despite Hull's fantastic away record of late, we are predicting a vital home win on Monday.

The hosts are always a difficult side to play against at The Den, and with plenty riding on this game for them, they should be well up for the encounter and will be backed by a raucous atmosphere from the Millwall faithful.