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Millwall logo
League One
Aug 29, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Chesterfield

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
O'Shea (17', 95')

Preview: Millwall vs. Chesterfield

Sports Mole previews the League One encounter between Millwall and Chesterfield at The New Den.

Millwall are looking for only their second win of the season when they host Chesterfield in League One.

However, the Spireites could move closer to the promotion places with a win at The New Den.


Millwall

Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

The Lions' hopes of bouncing back to the Championship at the first attempt have diminished slightly since starting their campaign in a victory.

Goals from Steve Morison and Lee Gregory gave them a win away to Shrewsbury Town, but a League Cup exit at the hands of Barnet would be the first of three consecutive defeats.

Arguably the worst of the three losses saw Coventry City beat Millwall 4-0 at The New Den before Lewin Nyatanga's stoppage-time goal gave Barnsley a 3-2 victory.

That loss against the Tykes prompted Neil Harris to ask some of his playing squad whether they still wanted to play for the club and his words may have produced a response from his team as they managed to end their run of defeats with a goalless draw at Scunthorpe United last time out.

However, Millwall have now won only one of their last nine games in all competitions, which may encourage Harris to bolster his options.

The Lions boss has already moved to re-sign Carlos Edwards, three months after he was released by the club.

Recent form: LLWLLD
Recent form (all competitions): LWLLLD


Chesterfield

Sam Morsy of Chesterfield in action during the FA Cup Second Round match between MK Dons and Chesterfield at Stadium mk on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

Chesterfield are only three points from the top of the table, but the Spireites have had a curious start to the season, with two wins and two defeats in league and cup.

Dean Saunders's reign at the club began with a commanding victory over local rivals Barnsley, with Jay O'Shea, Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Sam Morsy all on the scoresheet.

However, the Blues slumped to a first-round defeat in the League Cup at Carlisle United before losing a local derby with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Chesterfield did at least return to winning ways at Shrewsbury, but were held at Rochdale on Saturday.

Their form over their last 10 league games is generally good, with four wins and only two defeats in that time.

Furthermore, the Spireites look comfortable on their travels, with only one away loss in their last seven.

Recent form: LDWLWD
Recent form (all competitions): DWLLWD


Team News

Carlos Edwards of Millwall in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Blackpool at The Den on August 30, 2014© Getty Images

Edwards could come into contention for a place in the squad since re-joining Millwall earlier this week.

Otherwise, Harris may opt to keep faith with the same side that picked up the Lions' first clean sheet of the campaign at Glanford Park last weekend.

Captain Tony Craig and fellow defender Mark Beevers, both of whom were dropped after the Coventry thrashing, will hope to retain their starting places.

Following their goalless draw against Dale, Saunders may look to reshuffle his pack, with Armand Gnanduillet among those pushing for a recall after coming off the bench against the Lancashire club.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Archer, Cummings, Craig, Nelson, Beevers, Onyedinma, Williams, Thompson, Abdou, Morison, Gregory

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Lee, Talbot, Hird, Evatt, Jones, O'Shea, Gardner, Morsy, Martinez, Novak, Ebanks-Blake


Head To Head

The Spireites have had the edge over Millwall in recent encounters, having won five and drawn one of the last nine meetings.

However, Chesterfield have failed to beat the Lions away since 1981, when the teams met in the old Division Three.

The most recent meeting between the team saw Millwall beat the Derbyshire outfit 2-1, thanks to a late Poul Hubertz winner at The New Den.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Millwall 2-1 Chesterfield

Millwall ending their run of defeats could be timely and a first home win of the campaign may see the Lions kick-start a promotion push. Chesterfield's form has been largely good, but their record at The Den suggests that a narrow home win is a reasonable bet.



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Written by
Chris O'Keefe
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Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013
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