Millwall v Blackpool preview: Must-win tie for both sides
A victory here would see Blackpool rise above Reading, although it would take a win by five goals to provisionally escape the relegation zone come the end of this game.
Caretaker boss Stephen Dobbie said that his side are “starting to believe” that they can secure safety, and he has clearly imbued that sense of belief across his squad with the Tangerines picking up more points in his four games so far (W2, L2) than in the eight rounds prior (W1, D1, L6).
Yet a winless home record against sides beginning the round in the top nine may serve to temper expectations, with Blackpool failing to net in five of those games (D2, L6).
The wheels have come off for Millwall at the worst possible time, as they recorded a sixth winless game across the last seven rounds in a 2-1 loss against relegation-threatened Wigan which subsequently saw them tumble out of the top six (W1, D2, L4).
With six points left to play for and only goal difference keeping them from a play-off berth, there remains a chance for Millwall, although it may take an almighty resurgence at this stage.
Lions boss Gary Rowett said “I don’t care where we finish, it’s about pride” in the wake of their latest defeat, subsequently putting pressure back on his players.
Despite operating at two different ends of the table, Millwall’s away games against sides in 18th or lower were all drawn or settled with a single-goal margin (W3, D1, L2), so this may be yet another closely fought contest.
Players to watch: With top-scorer Jerry Yates a doubt, Blackpool may hand Leeds loanee Ian Poveda a start after he hit the winner from the bench in his latest appearance. It took Millwall’s Zian Flemming just 14 minutes to get off the mark in the reverse fixture, and he has also scored four match openers within ten minutes already this season.
Hot stat: Millwall have lost the majority of their away league games when entered as pre-match favourites this season (W2, L3).
