Millwall vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-07-29 14:00.
Millwall kick-off their 2022/23 Championship campaign in the hope of finally snatching at least a play-off place after three consecutive top-half finishes, most recently ending last season six points adrift of sixth place. The Lions will be keen to get off to a strong start, but that certainly isn’t a guarantee after failing to win their home league opener in the last two seasons, including a goalless stalemate against Stoke City back in September 2020.
Spirits at The Den ought to be high considering manager Gary Rowett extended his contract over the summer, committing to what he sees as an exciting future for the club. A strong start may heighten expectations amongst the Millwall faithful, as they saw their side win 11 of the 12 home league matches in which they opened the scoring last term (D1).
You must go back to 2009 to find the last time Stoke won their first league match of the season, in what is the longest ongoing winless run on the opening day across the English Football League! Also winless in their first away league match for 14 seasons running (D7, L7), and with some poor pre-season results over summer, manager Michael O'Neill has admitted concerns with his side ahead of this clash. But if the Potters can end their opening day hoodoo it could be a sign of good things to come, as the last season that saw Stoke win their opening away game (2007/08) also saw them promoted to the Premier League!
However, since their relegation from the top flight four years ago, Stoke have never finished higher than 14th, and have even failed to score in three of their four visits to The Den along the way. Things may look even bleaker for Stoke if they end up conceding first, as O’Neill’s side haven’t won an away league game after shipping the opener since October 2019!
Players to watch: Hoping to pick up where he left off last season, Millwall’s Benik Afobe saw the last five of his 12 league goals arrive after half-time. Meanwhile, Stoke’s Jacob Brown netted 13 league goals last term, and has directly contributed to a goal in three straight H2Hs (G2, A1).
Hot stat: Millwall netted a joint league-low six first-half goals at home last season.