Aiming to close the gap between themselves and the playoffs, Millwall welcome strugglers Derby County to The Den for a Championship contest on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions lost at the Fratton Park base of Portsmouth last time out, whilst the Rams shared the spoils in Yorkshire against Chris Wilder's Sheffield United outfit.

Match preview

After losing in the playoff semi-finals to Hull City last season, Millwall are back on the promotion-chasing horse this term, however, recent form has seen optimism reduce around The Den.

The Lions are now in the midst of a three-game winless run (D1 L2) after a disappointing trip to the South Coast last weekend, when a late strike from Thomas Waddingham secured maximum points for Portsmouth.

Winning just one of their past seven second-tier contests (D3 L3), Alex Neil's troops have dropped down to 13th spot in the Championship standings, five points behind the top-eight conversation.

Millwall are winless across their past four competitive contests at The Den, however, home victories have arrived in emphatic fashion so far in 2026-27, defeating Norwich City (3-0) and Bolton Wanderers (4-0) in August and September respectively.

Following the summer departure of star winger Femi Azeez to Brighton & Hove Albion, there is an emphasis on the entire squad to chip in on the goalscoring front, although forward Lyndon Dykes currently leads the Lions pack with four Championship strikes.

After flirting with a playoff finish last campaign under John Eustace, Derby County are facing a fight at the other end of the rankings this time around, with recent form making for grim viewing in the East Midlands.

The injury-hit Rams extended their winless streak to a worrying eight league matches (D3 L5) last Saturday afternoon, when a second-half Patrick Bamford strike salvaged a point for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

As a result, Eustace's side have still kept just the single clean sheet across 13 competitive contests in 2026-27 and sit in 23rd position in the Championship table, just two points off rock bottom.

Derby join Burnley as the pair of second-tier clubs who are yet to win a home league match this term, however, the Rams have been better on the road, winning one and drawing two of their six away trips.

Alongside Preston North End and Watford, Derby are the joint-lowest goalscorers in the division with just 10 strikes in 12 games, with the East Midlanders missing a number of key forwards due to injury.

Millwall Championship form:

Derby County Championship form:

Team News

A summer arrival from Ligue 2 outfit Rodez, Tairyk Arconte is currently sidelined for Millwall because of an ankle injury.

Further reducing the options of the Lions in attack, former Middlesbrough man Josh Coburn is nursing a muscular problem.

A real key force in the middle of the park for Millwall, Casper De Norre has missed the past eight Championship games due to an injury.

Derby's treatment rooms remains packed ahead of this weekend, with star striker Patrick Agyemang a major miss for the visitors.

The Rams are down to the bare bones in terms of defensive options in the absence of Charlie Taylor, Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin and Sondre Langas.

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Crama, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge; Metcalfe, Mazou-Sacko; Neghli, Cundle, Lisbie; Dykes

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Ward, Nyambe, Robinson, Hedges; Clark, Ozoh; Brewster, Szmodics; Salvensen, Morris

We say: Millwall 2-0 Derby County

After a sobering away defeat, Millwall will be desperate to get back to winning ways on home soil this weekend.

Derby's injury and suspension issues are at an all-time high, with the Rams likely to suffer as as result at The Den on Saturday.

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