Millwall v Derby Preview

Posted on | October 22, 2010 | No Comments

This game involves two teams who were tipped to struggle at the start of the season yet both are now defying the odds. Millwall were expected to struggle following their promotion from League One yet a position of 12^th is a superb achievement for the Lions at the moment. Derby on the other hand have become used to competing in the lower regions of the table yet Nigel Clough’s men sit just one place out of the playoffs following the opening twelve games of the campaign.

Millwall started the season in superb fashion and while their form has tailed off slightly since then, the New Den faithful must be delighted with the way their club has adapted to life in the Championship. An accumulation of sixteen points from the opening twelve games has put them into 12^th place, only four points away from the top six. Despite their position, recent form has been poor to say the least and Kenny Jackett will know that his side need to improve on the statistic of just the one win from the last nine games. That puts them at the bottom of the form chart and with the division being so tight this term, they desperately need to start winning games.

Derby on the other hand have surprised many and the Rams currently find themselves just two points away from the top six. Nigel Clough finally seems to be having his way with the Pride Park outfit and despite being tipped by many to struggle, the good times could be heading back to the club if they continue in this fashion. It would be fair to say that their start to the season was fairly poor but they’ve completely turned things round in the last few weeks and they now appear to be one of the form teams of the division. They’ve won four of their last five and having bagged fourteen goals in the progress, the Rams are certainly a team to beat.

There’s not much team news for the home side in this one although it’s doubtful whether recent signing Danny Shittu will play a part, with the former Watford man lacking match practice having been without a club for so long. Derby are in a similar boat and do not have any fresh concerns either. Nigel Clough has the option of changing things but with the Rams in such good form at the moment, don’t be surprised if he keeps things the same.

Judging by the form these two sides are in, we’ll have to predict an away victory here. Over recent weeks Millwall have struggled while Derby meanwhile have been on fire. Millwall won’t make it easy, but we’ll predict a narrow 2-1 win for the Rams here.

Related posts:

1. Derby v Millwall Preview
2. Millwall v QPR Preview
3. QPR v Millwall Preview
4. Millwall v Bristol City Preview
5. Millwall v Swansea Preview

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