With just a two-point and one-point gap to the relegation places respectively both Millwall and Birmingham City find themselves in rather tricky positions.
The survival fight is wide open, with 16th and 23rd being separated by just two points. It is hardly panic stations for either side if they are unable to get anything from the game, however they will be losing some ground.
Despite sitting in 18th, times are looking well and truly up for Millwall, who are in a far better position than as recently as two weeks ago. The more positive outlook has coincided with manager Neil Harris’ return to the club, and their former star has picked up two wins and a draw in his first three games in his second tenure in charge of the club.
They’re a team going in the right direction, a comment which can maybe not be applied to the visitors. With just one point in their last three matches, Birmingham are back in the survival fight. That being said, those three games were against Ipswich Town, Southampton and Hull City and they put out three good performances against top opposition.
Now facing a team in a similar position to them, the Blues could well send out a bit of a statement to the rest of the sides down at the bottom. They do however know it’s no easy task against a resurgent Lions side.
Here’s how two of The Real EFL writing team see the game panning out…
“Despite Millwall’s recent form, multiple teams around them have also picked up their’s as well which means the Lions haven’t gained too much ground. However they’ve not lost ground which is most important and there’s a lot more positivity around the club since Neil Harris took charge.
Birmingham themselves are also only just above the drop-zone as well and the survival fights is hotting up. They’ve performed admirably against some top teams in recent weeks and although that may have not yielded many points, those recent performances will give them confidence. Against some lesser opposition they may well be able to pick up a few wins in their final eleven games.
Winning this would help the Blues move slightly further away from the bottom three, however, whoever wins this will not be safe, far from it. Three points for either side would be huge, but I see them cancelling one another out.”
Millwall 1-1 Birmingham City
“Millwall have begun to turn their form around under new Head Coach Neil Harris. Seven points in the last nine is an impressive return for any side in the bottom half of the table, however, with the form of other sides around them also picking up, they have failed to pull away from a relegation fight. What they have improved is their defensive solidity, something which was certainly necessary considering some of their performances under the previous regime.
Birmingham sit just below their weekend opposition in the league. But their immediate recent form is not as impressive as Millwall’s. However, their last three opponents all sit in the top six, so the losses can certainly be excused. The draw away at Hull City in midweek will instil confidence in the squad going into this matchup, so a draw will be the prediction here.”
Millwall 0-0 Birmingham City
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