Both Millwall and Birmingham City find themselves in precarious situations, with a mere two points and a one-point difference between them and the relegation places, respectively.
With only two points separating 16th and 23rd, the survival battle is very close. If neither team can gain anything from the game, it’s not exactly a panic attack for them, but they will be falling short.
Even though Millwall is currently ranked 18th, things are definitely looking up for the team, as they were just two weeks ago. With two victories and a draw in his first three games as manager for the second time, former star Neil Harris has returned to the team at the same time as the club’s more optimistic outlook.
The observation that they are a team moving in the right direction may not apply to the guests. Birmingham is back in the battle for survival after only picking up one point in their last three games. Having said that, they played three excellent games against elite opponents in Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Hull City.
The Blues could make a small statement to the other teams at the bottom now that they are playing a team in a similar situation to them. They are aware, though, that facing a resurgent Lions side will not be an easy task.
Ivan Newsome
“Despite Millwall’s recent form, multiple teams around them have also picked up their’s as well which means the Lions haven’t gained too much ground. However they’ve not lost ground which is most important and there’s a lot more positivity around the club since Neil Harris took charge.
Birmingham themselves are also only just above the drop-zone as well and the survival fights is hotting up. They’ve performed admirably against some top teams in recent weeks and although that may have not yielded many points, those recent performances will give them confidence. Against some lesser opposition they may well be able to pick up a few wins in their final eleven games.
Winning this would help the Blues move slightly further away from the bottom three, however, whoever wins this will not be safe, far from it. Three points for either side would be huge, but I see them cancelling one another out.”
Millwall 1-1 Birmingham City
Charlie Beeston
“Millwall have begun to turn their form around under new Head Coach Neil Harris. Seven points in the last nine is an impressive return for any side in the bottom half of the table, however, with the form of other sides around them also picking up, they have failed to pull away from a relegation fight. What they have improved is their defensive solidity, something which was certainly necessary considering some of their performances under the previous regime.
Birmingham sit just below their weekend opposition in the league. But their immediate recent form is not as impressive as Millwall’s. However, their last three opponents all sit in the top six, so the losses can certainly be excused. The draw away at Hull City in midweek will instil confidence in the squad going into this matchup, so a draw will be the prediction here.”
Millwall 0-0 Birmingham City
