Millwall vs Sunderland prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-02-03 15:00.
One defeat from their last six Championship matches (W3, D2) has kept Millwall firmly in the play-off picture. They start the round eighth in the table, one point below Blackburn in sixth but crucially, one above visitors Sunderland with games in hand on most sides around them. Manager Gary Rowett was also boosted in his promotion push by securing much-welcomed attacking reinforcements in the forms of Oliver Burke and Duncan Watmore earlier this week.
He’ll hope they can add more firepower to what has been a mid-ranking attack (G:33) so far, although the defensive prowess displayed by his side has been a joy to behold. Millwall have conceded just two goals across their last six league outings, while only the top two sides in the division can boast a better defensive record coming into the round (GA:27).
In decent form themselves after just one league defeat in six matches (W3, D2, L1), that might not concern a sharp-shooting Sunderland. You’d have to go back to the beginning of November for the last time they failed to get on the scoresheet, helping the Black Cats record the fourth-highest goal tally coming into the gameweek (GS:41). They’ll also travel to the Den with the comfort of knowing they’ve found the back of the net six times across the last three H2Hs with the hosts (W1, D2).
In contrast to their opponents, Sunderland have used this window as an opportunity to shore things up at the back, signing Everton academy graduate Joe Anderson on deadline day. With just two clean sheets secured across their last 12 competitive fixtures (W6, D3, L3), it’ll be hoped he could play a part in building stronger defensive foundations for their promotion push.
Players to watch: Tom Bradshaw has enjoyed a purple patch for Millwall since action resumed in December, as he’s registered five goal contributions (G3, A2) in six league games. He’ll face Sunderland attacker Patrick Roberts who boasts the second-highest shot-creating average coming into the round (5.10).
Hot stat: Both teams have scored in a joint-league-low four of Millwall’s 13 home league games.