Plymouth Vs Millwall

Plymouth Argyle will look to secure three consecutive victories for the first time in over 18 months when they host Millwall at Home Park for a Championship clash on Wednesday night.

The Pilgrims are riding the momentum of a historic FA Cup triumph over Premier League giants Liverpool last weekend, while their upcoming opponents, Millwall, also pulled off an impressive upset in the same competition a day earlier.

Plymouth's recent resurgence has been significant, marking their first consecutive competitive victories since May 2023, back when they were still competing in League One. Their impressive run began with a hard-fought home victory against West Bromwich Albion on February 1, which they followed up with an unforgettable win against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

Despite making ten changes from their EFL Cup semi-final lineup, Liverpool still fielded a team brimming with world-class talent. However, the Pilgrims capitalized on their moment, as a second-half penalty from Ryan Hardie proved to be the decisive factor in knocking the five-time FA Cup winners out of the competition.

Just a few weeks ago, Plymouth suffered a humbling 5-0 defeat at the hands of Championship title contenders Burnley on January 22. In response, they made crucial defensive reinforcements during the final stretch of the winter transfer window, bringing in Maksym Talovierov and Nikola Katic. The duo has significantly bolstered the backline, playing a key role in their recent upturn in form.

When it comes to their Championship campaign, Plymouth’s focus remains on climbing out of the relegation zone. Collecting four points from their recent encounters with Sunderland and West Brom has brought them within four points of safety. Miron Muslic's men now face the daunting task of mounting a great escape as they battle to retain their place in the second tier.

Hardie, who came off the bench to score a decisive brace against Tony Mowbray’s West Brom side in Plymouth’s last league fixture, has now matched five of his teammates with three Championship goals this season. The Green Army’s attacking unit has been collectively filling the void left by last season’s star forward, Morgan Whittaker.

Turning attention to their midweek opponents, Millwall, the London-based club has experienced a strong start to 2024, putting a New Year’s Day defeat behind them and rediscovering their competitive edge. Their 1-0 loss to newly-promoted Oxford United at The Den on January 1 threatened to derail their playoff aspirations, but they have since regained momentum, suffering only one defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions.

Millwall come into this fixture in excellent form, having won four consecutive games, including a statement FA Cup victory over Championship rivals Leeds United at Elland Road. The Lions stunned the home crowd with a remarkable performance, as summer signing Femi Azeez netted twice to seal their place in the next round of the competition.

Aiming to extend their winning streak to five matches, Millwall currently occupy 14th place in the Championship standings. However, with just five points separating them from sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers, they remain within touching distance of the playoff positions, underlining the fierce competition in the division this season.

Despite their strong form, Millwall’s goal-scoring record remains a concern. Among the top 17 teams in the league, no side has netted fewer than their tally of 30 goals this term. Leading forward Duncan Watmore started the season brightly, scoring five league goals by September, but he has since endured a frustrating 19-match drought in the second tier.

Millwall's away form has been a mixed bag. While they have secured only three wins from 14 Championship matches on the road, they have proven to be a resilient side in away fixtures. Defensively, they have been tough to break down, conceding just 13 goals in their away matches so far in the 2024-25 season. Only Burnley (5) and Leeds (12) have conceded fewer goals away from home, highlighting Millwall’s solidity at the back.

With both teams eager to build on their recent successes, Wednesday night’s encounter at Home Park promises to be a compelling battle between two sides with contrasting objectives. Plymouth are desperate for points to fuel their survival bid, while Millwall are pushing to break into the playoff picture. The stakes are high, and given both clubs' recent upsets in the FA Cup, they will each be brimming with confidence heading into this crucial Championship fixture.