Preston Vs Stoke

Portsmouth will aim to secure consecutive victories in the Championship when they make the trip to The Den for a challenging encounter against Millwall on Saturday. With the season edging closer to its conclusion and every point becoming increasingly valuable, both sides will be eager to build momentum in what has been an up-and-down campaign for each club. While Millwall currently occupy a mid-table position in 13th place, six points ahead of Portsmouth, who sit in 17th, the outcome of this fixture could play a key role in shaping the final stages of their respective seasons.

Millwall have endured a somewhat inconsistent run of form in recent weeks, typified by their inability to string together successive positive results. The Lions have experienced a pattern of alternating wins and losses over their last six league outings, failing to establish the consistency required to push more convincingly towards the playoff positions. This inconsistency has left them just outside the top six, and while a promotion push remains a mathematical possibility, their recent performances have made it difficult to build genuine momentum.

Their most recent success came on home soil against Stoke City, a result that provided a brief glimmer of hope and suggested that they might be turning a corner. However, any optimism generated by that victory was swiftly dampened by a narrow defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last Saturday. In that contest, Millwall found themselves undone by a solitary goal from Trai Hume in the 20th minute, which ultimately condemned them to a second consecutive away defeat. Of greater concern was their lack of attacking threat, as they failed to find the back of the net for the second straight road game. This recurring issue has hampered their efforts to climb the table and will be a key area of focus for manager Alex Neil as he prepares his side for their return to home comforts.

Back at The Den, Millwall will be hopeful of bouncing back and putting in a more commanding performance in front of their supporters. Their home form has been relatively steady throughout the campaign, and they now have the opportunity to secure back-to-back home league wins for the first time since November. A strong display could not only boost confidence but also keep their faint hopes of a late playoff surge alive, especially with only seven games remaining in the season. The Lions will also take encouragement from their recent dominance in head-to-head encounters with Portsmouth, having emerged victorious in each of their last five meetings with the South Coast club. This includes a pair of 1-0 wins—first in the EFL Cup clash in August, followed by another narrow triumph in January’s reverse league fixture.

On the other side of the pitch, Portsmouth arrive at The Den in search of consistency themselves, having experienced a turbulent sequence of results in recent weeks. Their last five matches have produced a mixed return of two wins and three losses, a reflection of the unpredictable nature of their season. John Mousinho’s side have at times shown glimpses of their potential but have struggled to maintain a stable run of form, which has kept them tethered to the lower end of the Championship standings.

Pompey were dealt a blow when they suffered a defeat to Luton Town, but they responded in impressive fashion by toppling promotion-chasing Leeds United—a result that suggested they were capable of punching above their weight. That standout victory, however, was followed by back-to-back 2-1 defeats at the hands of Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End, results that reignited concerns about their ability to consistently compete at this level. With the pressure beginning to mount, the team produced a much-needed response last Saturday with a 1-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers. That match was decided by an early strike from Josh Murphy, whose 20th-minute goal proved decisive in securing three crucial points for the home side.

The victory against Blackburn not only lifted spirits but also created a five-point cushion between Portsmouth and the relegation zone. With only a handful of games remaining in the season, such margins could prove pivotal in determining which teams avoid the drop. While Mousinho will no doubt have been relieved to see his team bounce back from successive losses, he will also be acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead—particularly on the road, where Portsmouth have struggled throughout the season.

Pompey’s away form has been a glaring weakness, with the team losing nine of their last ten Championship matches away from Fratton Park. Their solitary win during that stretch offers little reassurance, especially given the defensive frailties they have shown on their travels. In fact, Portsmouth have conceded a concerning 43 goals in 19 away league games this season, the joint-worst defensive record in the Championship in that category. This leaky backline has been a persistent issue and represents a significant hurdle as they prepare to face a Millwall side who will be motivated to capitalise on any defensive lapses.

Despite their struggles, Portsmouth will still cling to hope that they can reverse the trend and put in a more resolute performance at The Den. Not only would a win boost their survival hopes and increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone, but it would also allow them to end a lengthy losing streak against Millwall. The last time Pompey emerged victorious in this particular fixture came all the way back in October 2010, when they secured a 1-0 win at The Den. A repeat of that result would not only mark a significant milestone but could also serve as a turning point in a season that has been marked by frustration and inconsistency.

Injuries, tactical adjustments, and confidence levels have all played a role in Portsmouth's uneven campaign, and Mousinho will be tasked with finding the right balance as he prepares his squad for the latest test. The return to form of key players, as well as greater defensive discipline and sharper finishing in front of goal, will be crucial components if they are to take anything away from Saturday’s encounter. The manager will also need to ensure that his team approaches the game with the right mindset, knowing that even a single point could prove valuable in the context of the season's final standings.

From Millwall's perspective, the clash represents an opportunity to reinforce their home credentials and maintain their upper hand over a team they have enjoyed recent success against. The Lions have shown they are capable of producing strong performances at The Den, and they will be determined to bounce back from last week’s setback with a spirited and effective showing. While their promotion aspirations may seem distant, a victory would at least keep them in the conversation and ensure that they finish the campaign with momentum.

The game is likely to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides knowing that a single mistake could prove costly. Millwall will look to exploit Portsmouth’s vulnerabilities away from home, particularly their defensive record, while Pompey will aim to frustrate their hosts and strike on the counter. With so much at stake for both teams—be it playoff hopes or survival ambitions—the match promises to be a gripping battle between two sides who are still searching for consistency and clarity in their seasons.

As the Championship season approaches its final stretch, matches like this one take on added significance. Every point gained or dropped can have a profound impact, and Saturday’s clash between Millwall and Portsmouth will be no different. For Millwall, it’s a chance to consolidate their position in the top half of the table and keep alive faint playoff hopes. For Portsmouth, it’s an opportunity to take a big step toward Championship safety and finally overcome a longstanding adversary.

Both sets of supporters will be watching closely, hoping their team can deliver a performance worthy of the occasion. Whether it's Millwall continuing their dominance over Pompey or the visitors pulling off a much-needed upset, the stakes ensure that all eyes will be on The Den come Saturday afternoon.