Leeds United will be eyeing the top spot when they take on Millwall in the EFL Championship on Wednesday night.
Millwall and Leeds United are set to clash at The Den on Wednesday in a high-stakes Championship matchup, with both teams riding impressive unbeaten runs and vying for top positions in the table. Millwall, buoyed by a recent winning streak, sit just outside the playoff spots, while Leeds United hold second place and are pushing for automatic promotion.
Millwall have enjoyed a strong resurgence since the October international break, going unbeaten in five consecutive games. Neil Harris’s squad picked up just nine points in their first nine games, but they have turned their form around with a 1-1 draw against Derby County followed by three straight wins. Their recent victory over second-placed Burnley, secured by Jake Cooper’s 52nd-minute goal, showcased Millwall’s defensive resilience as they recorded yet another clean sheet.
The Lions have conceded only 12 goals in 13 matches this season, giving them one of the best defensive records in the league. With three clean sheets in their last three games and a chance to move into playoff contention, Millwall are in good shape heading into this match. They will be eager to extend their unbeaten streak and continue climbing up the table with a fourth consecutive win.
Leeds United are also in excellent form, entering this match on the back of a strong start to their campaign under Daniel Farke. With 26 points from 13 games, Leeds sit in second place, aiming to solidify their position in the automatic promotion spots. The Whites have been efficient at both ends of the pitch, scoring 22 goals—the third-highest in the Championship—while conceding just eight, a defensive record surpassed by only two teams.
Since their only league loss to Burnley in mid-September, Leeds have gone eight games unbeaten, collecting five wins and three draws. Their recent 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, with goals from Daniel James, Joel Piroe, and Brenden Aaronson, highlighted their attacking prowess and solidified their hold on second place.
Leeds will now seek to extend their unbeaten away record to seven games and make it nine games unbeaten overall as they continue their promotion push. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Millwall FC
Millwall will be without midfielder Billy Mitchell and forward Tom Bradshaw for Wednesday’s clash with Leeds United due to ongoing injury concerns. The Lions will also miss Joe Bryan, who is serving a one-match suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in their recent victory over Burnley.
This suspension forces Neil Harris to make at least one defensive change, with Murray Wallace expected to replace Bryan in the backline. On a positive note, both Josh Coburn and Shaun Hutchinson returned to the squad on Sunday, strengthening Harris’s defensive options.
In a probable 4-2-3-1 setup, Millwall are expected to start with Matija Sarkic as the goalkeeper. The back four will likely consist of Ryan Leonard at right-back, with Japhet Tanganga and Shaun Hutchinson as the centre-back pairing, while Murray Wallace fills in at left-back in place of the suspended Joe Bryan.
In midfield, Casper De Norre and George Saville are expected to continue their partnership in the double pivot, providing stability and control in the centre of the pitch. Further forward, Romain Esse will likely play on the right wing, with George Honeyman occupying the central attacking midfield role, and Femi Azeez on the left.
Macaulay Langstaff is expected to lead the line as the lone striker, though Duncan Watmore, Millwall’s top scorer with five EFL Championship goals, may also push for a starting spot in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jensen; Leonard, Hutchinson, Tanganga, Wallace; De Norre, Saville; Esse, Honeyman, Azeez; Langstaff
Leeds United
Leeds United are dealing with several injury concerns as they prepare for Wednesday’s match against Millwall. Midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev remain unavailable, along with winger Largie Ramazani. Head coach Daniel Farke is expected to maintain his current midfield setup, with Josuha Guilavogui possibly competing for his first start after debuting off the bench last weekend.
However, Farke will likely stick with the midfield pairing of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in the absence of Ampadu and Gruev. Jayden Bogle is set to return to the starting lineup at right-back after serving a suspension against Plymouth.
In attack, Joel Piroe is expected to lead the line after scoring his fifth league goal of the season, while Manor Solomon will push for a starting role on the wing, potentially displacing either Willy Gnonto or Daniel James.
In a probable 4-2-3-1 formation, Leeds United are expected to start with Illan Meslier as the goalkeeper. Jayden Bogle will occupy the right-back position, while Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are likely to form the centre-back pairing, and Junior Firpo will take up the left-back role, completing the defensive line.
In midfield, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell will form a double pivot, providing both defensive coverage and ball distribution from central areas. In the advanced midfield positions, Wifried Gnonto is likely to start on the right wing, Brenden Aaronson in the central attacking midfield role, and Daniel James on the left wing.
Joel Piroe is expected to lead the attack as the lone striker, looking to continue his scoring form and spearhead Leeds United’s efforts to secure three points on the road.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, James; Piroe
Key Stats
- Millwall have only once lost consecutive home league games against Leeds, with those defeats coming in the 2005-06 and 2007-08 seasons.
- Leeds United are aiming to win four consecutive league games against Millwall for the first time since their streak between 2005 and 2008.
- Millwall have won five of their last eight midweek league games at home, including each of the last two by a 1-0 scoreline.
- Leeds are unbeaten on the road in the Championship this season (2 wins, 4 draws), with four clean sheets in these games. This is their longest unbeaten start to a league season away from home since the 2018-19 season.
- Leeds manager Daniel Farke has lost eight of his last 13 away games in London across English league competitions (3 wins, 2 draws), with his teams conceding 26 goals in those matches.
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
With five league goals already to his name, Piroe has been a reliable finisher in front of goal, and his recent strike against Plymouth Argyle further solidified his role as Leeds United’s primary attacking threat.
Piroe’s positioning, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing make him a constant danger to opposition defences. His ability to drop deep and link up with midfielders like Brenden Aaronson also allows Leeds to create cohesive attacks and maintain possession in the final third. Against a resolute Millwall defence, Piroe’s quick instincts and eye for goal could be the key to breaking the deadlock.
As Leeds aim to continue their unbeaten run on the road, Piroe’s contributions will be vital. If he can get the service from wide players like Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James, Piroe has every chance of making a decisive impact and helping Leeds secure another crucial three points.
Prediction
Millwall FC 1-1 Leeds United
Both teams come into this game with momentum and solid defensive records, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle. Millwall’s home form and recent defensive displays suggest they won’t be easy to break down, while Leeds United’s consistent performances on the road make them slight favourites. A hard-fought draw seems likely, with both teams extending their unbeaten runs in a competitive match-up.
