Preview: Watford vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Watford will be looking to record their third successive win in the Championship when they play host to Millwall on Saturday afternoon.

At a time when the Hornets have recently advanced into 15th position in the standings, Millwall are a place lower after a three-game streak without success.

Match preview

© Reuters

When Watford made the decision to hand Valerien Ismael a new contract on the back of a poor run of form, many eyebrows were raised, particularly by their supporters.

As it stands, though, the show of faith has had its desired effect, with the Hornets having put together a run of two wins and one draw from their last three games.

While it has not necessarily been pretty, a comeback draw at Cardiff has been followed by 1-0 wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City.

With Watford having now twice put together three-match unbeaten streaks in the Championship this season, it appears possible that solid foundations have been laid.

Nevertheless, like is generally the case at Vicarage Road, Ismael will focus on the short term for the time being now that they have edged towards the mid-table spots.

Two matches have passed since Millwall and Gary Rowett mutually decided to go their separate ways, the reins being temporarily handed to Adam Barrett.

Just the one point has come from his two games in charge, a 1-1 draw at Preston North End being followed by a 2-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Most people will agree that the East Londoners need to make a decision on who to appoint as their new boss with the life currently being sucked out of their campaign.

Even when Rowett was in charge, Millwall had failed to record successive wins in the Championship, and they now have just six points from as many games since September 23.

Team News

© Reuters

Ken Sema is in line to be recalled to the Watford XI having come off the substitutes' bench to score the decisive goal against Swansea.

Yaser Asprilla also provided the assist, leaving Ismael with a choice to make over whether he drops Tom Ince and Matheus Martins.

Ryan Porteous will hope to return to the centre of defence after serving a one-match ban for five yellow cards, although an immediate recall is not a certainty.

Barrett is likely to make alterations to his Millwall side with Murray Wallace, George Saville and George Honeyman all pushing for opportunities.

However, Millwall remain without the injured trio of Matjia Sarkic, Shaun Hutchinson and Kevin Nisbet.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Ngakia, Sierralta, Hoedt, Lewis; Kayembe, Livermore, Kone; Asprilla, Bayo, Sema

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Norton-Cuffy, Harding, Cooper, Wallace; De Norre, Mitchell; Longman, Flemming, Emakhu; Bradshaw

We say: Watford 1-1 Millwall

Ismael will be confident that his side are more settled and capable of quickly becoming promotion contenders. Nevertheless, we are yet to see that kind of consistency from them, leading us to back a low-scoring draw between two well-match sides.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.