Burnley make the trip to Millwall on Sunday afternoon looking to ensure that they end the weekend in second place in the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, the home side head into this contest having recently moved into 10th position, helped by a four-game unbeaten streak.
Match preview
© Imago
Having lost just one game in 12 matches and that defeat coming away at the league leaders, Burnley cannot be dissatisfied with their start to the new campaign.
However, Scott Parker's side have posted five draws during that period, including four in their last six outings to lose ground on Sunderland.
The Black Cats have established a five-point lead over the more-fancied promotion contenders, with Burnley potentially facing an eight-point gap if the pacesetters win on Saturday.
From Parker's perspective, though, he will be focused on engineering an improved run of form, particularly in the final third with the Clarets having failed to score more than twice in 10 successive games.
On the flip side, five clean sheets have been kept in six matches, but Parker will acknowledge his team need to find a greater balance if they are to last the pace in the title race.
As for Millwall, they started the season as a shadow of the team that ended 2023-24 with eight victories from 13 matches under Neil Harris.
Nevertheless, the Lions have bounced back with 11 points being recorded from a possible 18, including posting back-to-back 1-0 victories.
Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City have each been edged out to catapult Millwall into the top half of the table, albeit still just five points above the relegation zone.
At a time when Burnley have not scored more than twice in a game in 10 outings, Millwall have not conceded more than once over the same amount of matches.
Team News
Substitutes Casper De Norre and Femi Azeez combined for Millwall's winner at Swansea in midweek and are pushing for starting opportunities.
Young forward Mihailo Ivanovic could also be drafted into the lineup with Harris potentially making three changes.
Burnley striker Zian Flemming will hope to retain his place in attack for the game against his former club.
However, alterations in the final third feel inevitable with Hannibal Mejbri possibly being drafted back into the team.
Jeremy Sarmiento is expected to be available again after missing the last two games with a knock.
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, McNamara; Wintle, Saville; Esse, De Norre, Azeez; Ivanovic
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Humphreys; Cullen, Brownhill; Koleosho, Laurent, Sarmiento; Flemming
We say: Millwall 1-2 Burnley
This could prove to be one of the more competitive games of the weekend, Millwall having shown that they could emerge as surprise promotion contenders through the playoffs. However, Burnley are difficult to beat regardless of whether they are playing home or away, and we are backing the Clarets to come through by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
