The Lions have come back from the international break in good form, with two wins in their last two league games. They came from behind to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 at Adams Park last weekend before taking a commanding 2-0 home win over Luton Town in midweek.
The SE16 side’s recent good form has seen them climb into the play-off spots, currently finding themselves in 5th place, just two points off the automatic promotion places heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
Millwall’s opponents on Saturday, Barnsley, avoided relegation last season by just one point following Wigan Athletic’s points deduction, and they find themselves down the wrong end of the table again. The Yorkshire side are one of just two teams still without a win in the league this season and currently sit in 21st, only outside the relegation zone because of Sheffield Wednesday’s points deduction they inherited at the start of the campaign.
Barnsley currently have interim manager, Adam Murray, in charge after Austrian manager Gerhard Struber left the club to take over managerial duties at the New York Red Bulls. Since taking over, Murray has guided Barnsley to two 2-2 draws in two games.
Team News
Gary Rowett will still be without teenage duo Troy Parrott and Billy Mitchell for this Saturday’s match against the Tykes.
New loan signing Kenneth Zohore could be in contention for his first start for Millwall, following his switch from West Bromwich Albion on deadline day. He came off the bench for the final 10 minutes of the Lions’ win against Luton in the week,
Barnsley caretaker manager Murray will be without Michael Sollbauer, after being stretchered off against Bristol City last weekend, along with Ben Williams, who is also injured. Callum Styles is close to being back fit to play again but it’s thought that Murray won’t want to rush his players back because of the busy schedule from now until the new year.
New midfielder Matty James is in contention to start his first match for the Tykes after his loan move from Leicester City on deadline day.
It’s All About The Past
Millwall manager Rowett has met Barnsley six times in his managerial career, winning twice and losing three times while in charge of Birmingham, Derby and now Millwall. He hasn’t beaten the Yorkshire side since taking charge of the Lions.
The two sides met just four months ago in a Championship clash – which was also just the second game back after lockdown for both teams – in a match that finished 0-0. The sides were battling it out at either end of the table at the time with Barnsley struggling in the relegation zone, still four points from safety and Millwall in 11th, only three points off the play-off places.
Barnsley ended up surviving on the last day whilst Millwall finished ninth. Let’s hope for more goals on Saturday as both teams look to extend their unbeaten run they’re both currently on.
