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Millwall logo
Championship
May 3, 2014 at 12.15pm UK
 
Bournemouth logo

1-0

Woolford (28')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Millwall vs. Bournemouth

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between relegation-threatened Millwall and Bournemouth at The Den.

Millwall go into the final day of the Championship season on Saturday with everything still to play for as they host Bournemouth at The Den.

The Lions are still very much involved in an intriguing relegation scrap that took an unexpected twist last weekend and could take another on Saturday.

Blackpool's surprise win over Wigan Athletic plunged Birmingham City into the bottom three, and their failure to take advantage of their game in hand means that they are still two points adrift of 20th-placed Millwall.

However, goal difference may prove to be an issue for the Lions, who could be relegated if they fail to match Doncaster Rovers' result against Leicester City and Birmingham beat Bolton Wanderers.

Their late equaliser to nick a draw against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday means that Millwall are not the most susceptible to being caught by Birmingham, though, with Doncaster separating them from the bottom three.

A draw would most likely be enough for the Lions this weekend given that Rovers would then need a win against champions Leicester, and they have managed to come away with a share of the spoils in three of their last four outings.

Indeed, Ian Holloway's side have now gone six games without defeat, giving them some much-needed points at the perfect time. Having already beaten the likes of Nottingham Forest and Wigan in that run, Millwall will be confident of another victory this weekend that would guarantee their safety.

However, they are without a win in their last nine matches in front of their own fans - a run that stretches all the way back to January 18. Holloway will be without Danny Shittu and Ed Upson through injury, while Owen Garvan and Lee Martin are also doubts.

Bournemouth's unlikely playoff charge came to an end last Saturday despite a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Nottingham Forest that lifted them up to ninth in the Championship table.

Despite not making the top six, the Cherries have enjoyed a remarkable first season in the division and could end the campaign just one point behind sixth place should other results go their way this weekend.

Eddie Howe's men have now lost just one of their last nine matches and two of their last 14, picking up nine victories in that time to make them one of the most in-form sides of the last two months. They have been impressive away from home too, losing just one of their last seven games on the road.

The visitors are already guaranteed their highest ever finish this season, and Howe could name an unchanged side as he looks to end the campaign with yet another three points.

Recent form

Millwall: WWDWDD

Bournemouth: WWDLDW

Possible starting lineups

Millwall: Forde; Edwards, Beevers, Dunne, Malone; Woolford, Bailey, Williams, McDonald; Morison; Maierhofer

Bournemouth: Camp; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Harte; Pugh, O'Kane, Surman, Ritchie; Kermorgant; Grabban

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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Millwall manager Ian Holloway looks on during his team's Championship match against Ipswich on January 18, 2014
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