Millwall vs Blackburn Rovers preview: Both sides looking to keep play-off hopes alive

A win for either side would boost their playoff hopes, as Rovers take on a Millwall side desperate to end a poor home run. Millwall sit two points outside the top six, whilst Blackburn are four points adrift. 

With three games remaining, Millwall have a realistic chance of making the play-offs. The Lions won a crucial away match against strugglers Hull City, to maintain their charge towards the promotion spots. However, the London side must end a run of seven home games without a win, to have any chance of securing a play-off berth. 

Blackburn secured a vital 3-2 away win against playoff rivals Cardiff City in their last away game, keeping their faint hopes alive. The winning goal was scored by striker Adam Armstrong, hitting a delightful long-range chip over the keeper from near the halfway line. Despite their victory, Rovers had gone their previous four away matches without a win, and will be keen to make it two in a row on Tuesday night. 

Key Battle:

Target man Matt Smith will be hopeful of adding to his 12 league goals so far. The powerful striker has two goals in his last four home games, and also has scored twice in his career against Blackburn.

Adam Armstrong will be hoping to outscore his compatriot, having netted 14 times this season. His last three league games have yielded three goals, and his last four strikes have all been in the second half.

Previous Meeting:

Blackburn won the reverse fixture 2-0 in September 2019. Centre-back Derrick Williams scored the opener, with Rovers taking a 1-0 lead into half time. Although Millwall pushed for the leveller, they were hit with a sucker punch 15 minutes from time, as midfielder Bradley Dack pounced to effectively put the tie beyond the Lions.

Team News:

Jon Dahi Bodvarsson continues to be sidelined for Millwall with a long-term injury. Aiden O'Brien and Mahlon Romeo are doubtful, and may have to undergo late fitness tests should they wish to feature. 

Amari'i Bell continues to miss out for Rovers, and Derrick Williams will also not feature, having picked up a calf injury.

Predicted Lineups:

Millwall (3-4-2-1): Bialkowski, Cooper, Pearce, Hutchinson, Ferguson, Leonard, Woods, Mitchell, Wallace, Bennett, Smith.

Blackburn (4-3-3): Walton, Rankin-Costello, Adarabioyo, Lenihan, Nyambe, Travis, Johnson, Downing, Samuel, Graham, Armstrong.

Managers Comments:

After beating Hull City 1-0, Millwall manager Gary Rowett was optimistic about his side's chances of sneaking into the playoffs: 

"Obviously we're at a point where you've got to win games to stay in the mix because other teams are going to.

"It makes it exciting. I think the team deserve an awful lot of credit, where they've come to even be in the conversation."

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray claimed his side need to win all of their final games to have any chance of reaching the playoffs:

“We have to win all the games now really. I don’t want to get caught up in that, I just want to go to Millwall in midweek and try to win the game.

“We’ll see where it takes us, we’ll then take on Reading at home, see where that takes us and then head down to Luton Town.

“We’ll either be too many points away or we’ll be right in the mix as the games run out."