Bolton sit eight points adrift of safety, whereas Millwall are placed precariously one point above the relegation zone and with Reading and Rotherham only one point behind the Lions, this match could really shape their season for the better or worse.
Speaking to NewsAtDen, Neil Harris says the Lions need to focus on getting the three points and not the problems Bolton are facing: “Our concern is getting three points for Millwall. The focus for the players, and for me and the staff, won’t be what’s happening at their place and what they can or can’t do. It’s about what we’ve got to do.”
Poor Form
Millwall’s away form has been poor this season. The Lions only have two wins and four draws in their 17 away matches so far. Bolton will be hoping that they can catch the London side out on their travels.
Bolton’s home form isn’t much better with three wins and four draws out of their 17 home games, but will be hoping their home support will push them towards an improbable escape out of the relegation places.
Head To Head
Bolton have had the better results over Millwall number over the last decade. With both sides meeting 12 times, the Lions have only won twice. Once in 2012 and the other last season at The University of Bolton Stadium. The Trotters have won six of the last 12 meetings between the two sides.
Disappointing 2019’s
2019 as a whole for both of these clubs have been rather disappointing to say the least. Out of the 10 games both of these clubs have played, Bolton have won only once in 2019, a solitary win away at Birmingham City in February and one draw at home to Reading in January.
Millwall’s 2019 has only been a shade better with two wins away from home at lowly Ipswich Town and a phenomenal 1-0 win away at playoff chasing Derby County last month. Losses to Hull City and Swansea and a draw at Middlesbrough show that the Lions can compete on their travels but are susceptible to good passing teams like Hull and Swansea.
Match Under Threat
Bolton Wanderer’s issues with their owners have been mentioned all over the national newspapers with reports of players and staff not getting paid, something that their owner Ken Anderson says he will begrudgingly pay.
This match was under threat of postponement as the Lancashire club may not have been able to afford payment for security and turnstile operators for the match.
According to Bolton council ahead of this weekend’s game: “the club was given 24 hours to address specific concerns about stewarding levels as well as emergency and medical response, Bolton Wanderers have since provided thorough reassurances that they can meet the requirements set out in the stadium’s general safety certificate.”
Gaffers’ Thoughts
Millwall manager Neil Harris speaking to NewsAtDen spoke about his admiration for his opposite number Phil Parkinson, who won’t be in the dugout on Saturday due to a touchline ban: “We’ve had some real battles with Phil in his time at Bolton, but before that at Bradford as well, he’s someone I’ve got huge respect for and I really like how he goes about his work at the clubs he’s been at.”
Saturday is a prime opportunity for Millwall to pick up points, as they battle a side in turmoil. With faint hopes of a takeover on the horizon it could galvanise Wanderers, but both sides need the three points to keep up their hopes of another season in the EFL Championship.
