Middlesbrough and Millwall are set to clash at the Riverside Stadium in a match with huge implications for the Championship promotion race.
Millwall, currently fourth, trail Middlesbrough by two points. The Good Friday match kicks off at 12.30pm, and will be shown live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm.
Millwall’s Promotion Hopes
With just seven Championship games remaining, Millwall have a chance to control their own destiny. A defeat or draw would likely mean play-offs, still a high achievement for the Lions. Victory, however, would propel them into second place.
Ipswich, who are currently in third, will be watching, knowing they have two games in hand. For Millwall, this Good Friday match is a golden opportunity.
Neil Rejects Underdog Tag
Millwall manager Alex Neil isn’t interested in his team being seen as underdogs. Ahead of their recent match with Ipswich, Neil dismissed the notion of “little old Millwall”.
“I don’t like the narrative around us being little old Millwall punching above their weight and all that c***,” Neil said. “For me, I’ve never used ‘little old Millwall’. I’d never say that to my players because it demeans what we are and what we’re trying to do. As far as I’m concerned, we’re as competitive as anybody. We work within the resources that we’ve got.”
Neil added: “I just don’t like the narrative of playing yourself down as an underdog. ‘If we do it, it’s going to be a miracle and we’re really lucky to be here’ and all that c***. That doesn’t wash with me. If you want to be there and you want to be competitive and you want to win, you’ve got to believe that you should be there and I believe we should be.”
A Golden Opportunity for Millwall
The top two spots are currently held by Coventry and Middlesbrough, who have spent a combined 34 years outside the Premier League. Ipswich, despite parachute payments and squad depth, were in League One just three years ago.
- Millwall are currently in fourth place
- They are two points behind Middlesbrough
- A win would put Millwall in second
Andy Hinchcliffe spoke about Millwall’s chances on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast. “If they were to win at Middlesbrough, you have to take them seriously,” Hinchcliffe said.
“But they do need to win at this stage to keep their top-two hopes alive. I’m not convinced they can, but they performed well at Ipswich and got a point. If they do win at the Rive
It is not quite now or never for Millwall, but it is one heck of a golden opportunity.