Hull City host Gary Rowett’s Millwall side on Saturday at 3pm at the KCOM Stadium in a crucial game for the Tigers.
As the season draws to a close, the relegation battle is heating up. There are just six points difference between 18th placed Middlesbrough and bottom placed Luton Town.
Hull’s Championship tenure hangs by a thread, after back to back losses. The Tigers sit in 22nd position, having replaced Middlesbrough in the bottom three. They have won only once in their past nine home games, conceding four or more goals on three occasions, and failing to score in five.
They face a Millwall side who are sitting in mid-table, having won only once since the restart. The Lions have only lost twice in their previous 13 away from home, having won six of those. The first goal could be crucial, as Millwall are yet to win an away game this season when conceding first.
Mallik Wilks has emerged as something of a cult hero for City over the last few games. The winger netted a late winner against relegation rivals Middlesbrough in City's last home match and has four goals in his last nine appearances.
Millwall will be looking to powerful frontman Matt Smith to provide the ammunition on Saturday. The target man will be looking to add to his 12 strikes this season, and Millwall generally fare well when he finds the net. When Smith has scored, Millwall have only lost once in ten league matches, winning five.
Previous Meetings
31st August 2019 – Millwall 1-1 Hull City – Championship
26th February 2019 – Hull City 2-1 Millwall – Championship
6th January 2019 – Millwall 2-1 Hull City – FA Cup
The previous meeting between the two sides finished 1-1 at The Den. An early Jed Wallace penalty was cancelled out by Hull winger Kamil Grosicki. Whilst both sides had chances to win the tie, neither could find that elusive winning goal.
Team News
Hull may be without Liverpool loanee Herbie Kane through injury, which has kept him out of the last couple of games.
Millwall face the prospect of two long term absentees. Jon Dahi Bodvarsson and Aiden O'Brien are still side-lined, and Mason Bennett will face a late fitness test.
Prediction
Hull have been nothing short of abysmal since the turn of the year, and Millwall will feel that this fixture gives them an ideal opportunity to keep the pressure on the teams above them, so I expect the Lions to continue their impressive recent away record with a tight away victory.
Match Preview written by Owen Lloyd