West Bromwich Albion return to Championship action as James Morrison’s Baggies prepare to take on Millwall in another important fixture in their push towards the promotion places. Following Saturday’s brilliant 3–1 victory over West Ham United and Tuesday night’s hard-fought 1–1 draw against Southampton at The Hawthorns, Albion will be looking to build on their recent unbeaten run and get back to winning ways.
However, Millwall are never an easy side to face, and another tough Championship battle awaits. With confidence growing and the fixtures continuing to come thick and fast, can Morrison’s men secure another vital three points and keep the momentum going?
Millwall head into this weekend’s clash looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3–0 defeat against Birmingham City in midweek. The Lions were considered one of the sides capable of challenging towards the top end of the Championship this season, but their recent struggles have seen them slip to 13th in the table.
However, could we see the Millwall of last season turn up at The Hawthorns?
Despite their recent results, Millwall are a side that shouldn’t be underestimated. We saw last season just how difficult they can be to play against, and they’ll be determined to prove that their current league position doesn’t reflect their true ability.
Player To Watch – Millwall
One player the Baggies will need to keep a close eye on this weekend is Millwall striker Lyndon Dykes. The Scotland international is a physical presence up front who can cause problems for opposition defenders with his strength, aerial ability and determination.
Dykes is the type of striker who can make life difficult for any Championship defence, particularly when it comes to holding up the ball, winning headers and bringing his teammates into attacking positions.
Despite Millwall’s recent struggles and their disappointing 3–0 defeat against Birmingham City, Dykes remains a player Albion cannot afford to underestimate.
Chris Mepham and George Campbell will need to be strong and disciplined at the back, especially when dealing with crosses into the penalty area and Millwall’s direct attacking play.
If the Lions are to rediscover their form and cause an upset at The Hawthorns, Dykes could have an important role to play.
The Baggies will need to keep him quiet if they’re to secure another valuable three points in their push towards the promotion places.
Player To Watch – West Brom
My player to watch for the Baggies against Millwall is Ousmane Diakité, who could have a crucial role to play in the middle of the park.
The midfielder brings strength, energy and a physical presence to James Morrison’s side, helping Albion compete for possession and break up opposition attacks. His ability to win challenges, protect the back four and provide defensive cover could prove particularly important against a Millwall side looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Birmingham City.
With Lyndon Dykes capable of causing problems through his physicality and hold-up play, Diakité will need to be alert to second balls and prevent Millwall from building momentum in midfield.
And of course, there’s the chant that has been ringing around The Hawthorns, with the Albion faithful singing “Albion’s going up again with Diakité!” It’s a brilliant example of the connection developing between the supporters and the players, and you can imagine that chant getting louder if the Baggies continue their push towards the promotion places.
This might not be the type of game where Diakité grabs the headlines with a goal or assist, but his contribution could be just as valuable. If he can control the midfield battle alongside Jayson Molumby, it would give Albion a strong platform to push forward and create opportunities.
For me, Diakité could be one of the key players in deciding whether the Baggies come away with all three points at The Hawthorns.
And who knows? If Albion can secure another victory, we might just hear The Hawthorns rocking to that Diakité chant once again!
Line up V Millwall
I’m going with a 4-4-2 formation for the visit of Millwall, with Max O’Leary retaining his place between the sticks.
Brayann Pereira starts at right-back, with Callum Styles on the left, while Chris Mepham partners Matt Phillips in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakité will provide the energy and physical presence needed to compete against a tough Millwall side. Rabby Nzingoula starts on the right, with Isaac Price operating from the left.
Up front, I’m going with Tammer Bany alongside Jimmy-Jay Morgan. After Bany came agonisingly close to grabbing a late winner against Southampton, hitting the post in the closing stages, I’d like to see him rewarded with a starting opportunity.
Morgan’s movement and attacking threat could complement Bany’s pace, giving the Baggies a potentially exciting partnership as they look to return to winning ways.
With Millwall desperate to bounce back from their midweek defeat against Birmingham City, Albion will need to be ready for a physical battle, but I believe this starting XI has the quality to secure all three points.
Prediction V Millwall
Last time out, I predicted a 2–1 victory for the Baggies against Southampton, but unfortunately, we had to settle for a 1–1 draw at The Hawthorns.
It was certainly a game of two halves. During the opening 45 minutes, Albion were excellent, controlling the game against one of the Championship’s most in-form sides. Southampton have been enjoying an impressive campaign, and without their four-point deduction, they would currently be sitting at the top of the table. That makes our first-half performance even more encouraging.
However, the Saints came out much stronger after the break and created several opportunities to turn the game around. Thankfully, Max O’Leary was in fine form, producing some important saves to ensure Albion remained on level terms.
And let’s not forget just how close Tammer Bany came to snatching all three points for the Baggies! His late effort struck the post, leaving everyone inside The Hawthorns wondering what might have been.
Although we couldn’t quite secure the victory, taking a point against such strong opposition wasn’t a bad result. However, with Millwall up next, James Morrison’s side will be looking to turn that point into three and get back to winning ways.
I can see the Baggies coming out of the blocks quickly, looking to take control of the game from the opening whistle and put Millwall under plenty of pressure. James Morrison’s side would dominate possession during the early stages, pushing forward in search of that all-important opening goal.
However, despite enjoying the better of the play, Albion would struggle to create a clear-cut opportunity against a stubborn Millwall defence. But that would all change in the 32nd minute! Jimmy-Jay Morgan would pick up the ball and produce a perfectly timed through pass to release Tammer Bany, who would race beyond the Millwall defence and find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With The Hawthorns holding its breath, Bany would keep his composure and calmly slot the ball into the back of the net to score his first goal for West Bromwich Albion!
Millwall would begin to show signs of frustration, struggling to cope with Albion’s attacking movement and the energy of Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Bany up front.
Isaac Price would come close to making it 2–0 after cutting inside from the left, but his curling effort would drift narrowly wide of the far post.
The visitors would eventually begin to settle into the game, with Lyndon Dykes looking to cause problems for Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips through his physical presence.
However, Albion would remain organised defensively, ensuring Max O’Leary had relatively little to do during the opening 45 minutes.
After a difficult opening half, I expect Millwall to emerge from the dressing room with a point to prove.
Having suffered a disappointing 3–0 defeat against Birmingham City in midweek, the Lions would be determined to avoid another defeat and begin pushing Albion deeper into their own half.
Lyndon Dykes would become increasingly involved, using his strength to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into dangerous attacking positions.
Around the hour mark, Millwall would create their best opportunity of the match when a dangerous cross found Dykes inside the penalty area. His powerful header would look destined for the bottom corner, but Max O’Leary would produce a brilliant diving save to preserve Albion’s slender lead.
With Millwall growing in confidence, James Morrison would be urging his players to remain focused and disciplined.
This is where I believe Ousmane Diakité could prove absolutely vital.
His physical presence in midfield, ability to win important challenges and determination to break up opposition attacks would help Albion regain control during a difficult spell.
And with the Baggies faithful roaring their side on, you can almost imagine The Hawthorns breaking into that familiar chant of “Albion’s going up again with Diakité!”
As the game enters the final 15 minutes, I can see Albion beginning to find opportunities on the counterattack as Millwall commit more players forward in search of an equaliser.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan would nearly seal the victory after racing through on goal, only to see his effort saved by the Millwall goalkeeper.
At the other end, the Lions would continue to throw everything forward, with Albion’s defence having to remain alert to dangerous crosses and set pieces.
With five minutes remaining, Millwall would win a corner and send several players into the penalty area. The delivery would cause problems, but Chris Mepham would rise highest to clear the danger.
The fourth official would indicate five minutes of added time, leaving The Hawthorns on edge as the Baggies attempted to protect their narrow advantage.
However, James Morrison’s side would show the determination and defensive resilience needed to see the game out.
And when the final whistle finally sounds, The Hawthorns would erupt as Albion secure another massive three points!
Full-Time Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1–0 Millwall
⚽ Tammer Bany (32′)
It might not be the most comfortable victory, but I believe the Baggies will have enough quality to get the job done against a Millwall side desperate to rediscover their form.
For me, the biggest story would be Tammer Bany scoring his first Albion goal, especially after coming so close to grabbing the winner against Southampton on Tuesday night.
Another clean sheet for Max O’Leary would also be a huge positive, while the defensive partnership of Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips could prove important in keeping Lyndon Dykes quiet.
Following four points from the difficult fixtures against West Ham and Southampton, another victory would keep Albion’s momentum going and strengthen their position in the Championship promotion race.