Millwall Vs Hull

Hull City will be aiming to recover from their recent FA Cup exit as they travel to The Den for their upcoming Championship clash against Millwall on Saturday. This match will provide both teams with an opportunity to make strides in the league, with Hull in a relegation battle and Millwall seeking to build momentum following their FA Cup success.

Millwall, under the management of Alex Neil, are positioned in 14th place in the Championship table. Their record so far this season reads seven wins, nine draws, and nine losses from 25 matches, highlighting a somewhat inconsistent run of form. However, their recent performances in the league have been far from stellar, as they have struggled to find consistency. They have earned just two points from their last four Championship fixtures, a run that started with a narrow win over Blackburn Rovers on December 21.

The Lions' recent results reflect their difficulties in the league. A pair of losses, one to Norwich City and the other to Oxford United, sandwiched a goalless draw with Coventry City. They also threw away a 2-1 lead in their most recent match, a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Despite these struggles, Millwall found a much-needed boost in the FA Cup, easily dispatching non-league Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 in the third round. Mihailo Ivanovic, Casper De Norre, and Ra'ees Bangura-Williams all found the back of the net, securing a comfortable win. Although their opponents were from a lower division, the victory offered some optimism, especially as it marked the first time since late September that they had scored more than one goal in a home game.

Despite the positive result in the FA Cup, Millwall will now shift their focus to their league campaign. Their upcoming fixture against Hull City holds significant importance as they look to improve their league standing and end a winless streak against the Tigers. The Lions have not defeated Hull in their last five encounters, which includes a goalless draw in the reverse fixture this season. The last time Millwall managed to beat Hull was in April 2022, when they won 2-1 at The Den. Given Hull's struggles this season, Millwall will be hopeful of ending their winless run against the Tigers.

On the other hand, Hull City will be eager to put their disappointing FA Cup exit behind them. The Tigers suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to League Two side Doncaster Rovers in their third-round tie after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. It was a particularly frustrating result for Hull, who had been knocked out in the third round for the fourth consecutive year. Their elimination from the FA Cup means their full attention will now be on the Championship, where they are facing the very real threat of relegation.

Hull are currently in 22nd place in the league, just one point adrift of safety, with only 23 points from their 26 matches. The Tigers are in desperate need of positive results to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. Since Ruben Selles took over as manager in December, the team has experienced a mixed bag of results, with two wins, two draws, and three losses from their seven league games under his stewardship. While the team's form has been inconsistent, there have been signs of fight and resilience, particularly in their most recent Championship fixture against Leeds United. Despite being 3-1 down with only minutes remaining, Hull mounted a late comeback, scoring twice to secure a 3-3 draw at the MKM Stadium. This resilience will be crucial as they head into the Millwall match, where they will be aiming to gain all three points.

The Tigers’ recent form against Millwall offers some hope, as they have managed to avoid defeat in their last five meetings with the Lions, including the aforementioned 0-0 draw earlier this season. However, Hull’s poor away form could be a major concern heading into Saturday’s game. They have not won at The Den since February 2013, and their struggles on the road have contributed to their current position in the league. Their most recent trip to Millwall, in August 2024, ended in a goalless stalemate, highlighting the difficulty Hull have faced when playing at The Den.

Hull's away form this season has been a significant factor in their struggles. They have won just two of their 13 away games in the Championship, with their most recent victory on the road coming in November against Coventry City. In contrast, Millwall have been relatively strong at home, despite their recent dip in form. The Den is a tough place for visiting teams, and Hull will need to overcome their struggles on the road if they are to earn a positive result.

The key to Hull's success in this match could lie in their defensive solidity and the ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities. While their defense has been leaky at times this season, they have shown that they can be resolute when they dig in. The performance of goalkeeper Matt Ingram will be critical, as he has been one of Hull’s standout performers this season. In addition, Hull will need their attacking players, such as Ozan Tufan and Benjamin Tetteh, to step up and provide a cutting edge in front of goal. Tufan, in particular, has shown glimpses of quality but has often struggled with consistency. If Hull are to secure a vital win in this fixture, they will need their attacking players to deliver when it matters most.

For Millwall, the focus will be on finding a more consistent rhythm after their recent patchy run of form. Alex Neil will look to build on the confidence gained from the FA Cup win, and he will hope that his players can carry that momentum into the league. Millwall's attacking threats, such as Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming, will be key to unlocking Hull's defense. Bradshaw, in particular, has been in decent form this season, and his link-up play with Flemming could be pivotal in breaking down Hull’s defensive line. Neil will also need to address the defensive fragility that has seen Millwall concede goals in their recent matches, as Hull will look to exploit any weaknesses.

While both teams have experienced their share of struggles this season, Saturday's encounter offers an important opportunity for one of them to make progress. Millwall will be looking to build on their FA Cup success and take advantage of Hull’s vulnerable position, while the Tigers will be desperate for points as they fight to stay out of the relegation zone. With both teams having a lot to play for, this match promises to be a highly competitive and crucial one in the context of their respective Championship campaigns.