Millwall vs Stoke Prediction - Championship Fixtures
The Den will host an intriguing Championship clash on 15 March 2025 at 12:30, featuring 13th-placed Millwall and 19th-placed Stoke. This match is significant for both sides trying to climb the standings, especially with the season nearing its climax.
Millwall, under coach Alex Neil, arrive as the bookmaker favourites with odds of 2.12 to win. They’ve managed to score in 73% of their matches and often pull off better home performances. Notably, Millwall have a decent record against Stoke, with three wins and two draws in their last five meetings.
Stoke, led by Mark Robins, will seek to improve their form and distance themselves from relegation. Despite the overcast clouds and chilly 7°C at The Den, Stoke will aim to leverage their slightly better defensive record, having kept two clean sheets in their last five games.
Given these factors and the history between the teams, a narrow Millwall victory seems likely, with less than 2.5 goals expected in this fixture.
Millwall vs Stoke Prediction & Betting Tip
Considering Millwall’s higher current standing, home advantage, and their general tendency to score in the majority of their matches, the recommended betting tip for this match is to back Millwall to win.
| Millwall vs. Stoke Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Odds |
| Millwall to Win | 2.12 |
- Millwall have a solid home record and are the bookmaker favorites.
- Historically, Millwall have performed better against Stoke, winning three and drawing two in their last five encounters.
- Stoke struggle defensively, conceding an average of 1.2 goals per game this season.
Millwall vs Stoke Odds
| Millwall vs. Stoke Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Millwall to Win | 2.12 |
| Draw | 3.06 |
| Stoke to Win | 3.69 |
Millwall are the favorites according to the bookmakers, likely influenced by their solid home form and higher current standing in the Championship.
Stoke, on the other hand, are seen as underdogs with longer odds for a win, reflecting their struggles this season and current position in the lower part of the table.
Given the historical data and recent form, a draw might also be a tempting bet with fairly balanced odds.
Millwall Team Analysis
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | Millwall | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Watford | Millwall | 1-2 (Win) |
| Millwall | Bristol City | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Crystal Palace | Millwall | 3-1 (Loss) |
| Derby | Millwall | 0-1 (Win) |
Millwall’s recent form has been a bit of a rollercoaster, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches (LLWWL). They managed to secure victories against Watford and Derby but faltered against Leeds, Bristol City, and Crystal Palace. Despite their mid-table position, they have struggled to consistently find the back of the net, averaging just 0.8 goals per game in their last five outings. Additionally, they’ve only kept one clean sheet during this period, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities. With a crucial home game at The Den coming up, fans will be hoping for a more reliable performance from their side.
Millwall Key Players
Millwall will look to their top scorer, Mihailo Ivanovic, to spearhead their attack. With 5 goals this season, he is a crucial part of their offensive strategies. His battle against Stoke’s central defenders, Ashley Phillips and Ben Wilmot, will be one to watch.
George Saville, anchoring the midfield, will be tasked with breaking up Stoke’s play and transitioning the ball quickly to the forwards.
In defence, Jake Cooper and Japhet Tanganga need to hold fort against Stoke’s Ali Al-Hamadi, who has shown glimpses of potency upfront.
Expected lineup for Millwall:
- Goalkeeper: Lukas Jensen
- Defenders: Tristan Crama, Japhet Tanganga, Jake Cooper, Joe Bryan
- Midfielders: Casper De Norre, George Saville, Aaron Connolly, Luke Cundle, Aidomo Emakhu
- Forward: Mihailo Ivanovic
Millwall’s key players will need to perform at their best to secure those valuable three points.
Millwall Suspensions & Injuries
Millwall has a lengthy injury list that could significantly impact their performance.
Suspension
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Roberts | Red card | 4 matches left |
Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Leonard | Strain injury | Late March 2025 |
| Danny McNamara | Knee injury | Late March 2025 |
| Calum Scanlon | Hamstring injury | Late March 2025 |
| Macaulay Langstaff | Leg injury | Late March 2025 |
| Zak Lovelace | Knee surgery | Mid-July 2025 |
| Camiel Neghli | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
| George Honeyman | Hamstring injury | Mid-April 2025 |
| Femi Azeez | Hamstring injury | Mid-April 2025 |
The absence of key players such as George Honeyman and Femi Azeez, both out with hamstring injuries, will challenge Millwall’s midfield depth. Additionally, the defensive unit will miss Danny McNamara and Ryan Leonard, while Liam Roberts’ suspension leaves them without a reliable option at the back.
Millwall Tactics and Formation
Millwall Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Mihailo Ivanovic
- Midfield Duo: Casper De Norre, George Saville
- Defensive Anchor: Jake Cooper
Millwall, coached by Alex Neil, will likely stick to their consistent 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup has been their go-to in recent matches.
In attack, Mihailo Ivanovic leads the line and will be supported by a trio of midfielders—Luke Cundle in the attacking midfield role, flanked by Aaron Connolly on the right and Aidomo Emakhu on the left.
Casper De Norre and George Saville form a double pivot in midfield. They’re crucial for both defensive solidity and transitioning play.
Defensively, the backline will feature Jake Cooper and Japhet Tanganga at centre-back, with Joe Bryan and Tristan Crama on the flanks. Lukas Jensen is expected to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Their notable strategy might be to exploit the weakness of Stoke’s defence, which has been inconsistent of late. Expect Millwall to focus on pressing high and creating quick counter-attacks.
Stoke Team Analysis
Stoke City have had a mixed bag of results in their recent matchups. Their last five fixtures yielded two wins, two losses, and one draw, illustrating somewhat inconsistent form.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke | Blackburn | 1-0 (Win) |
| Coventry | Stoke | 3-2 (Loss) |
| Stoke | Watford | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Stoke | Middlesbrough | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Norwich | Stoke | 4-2 (Loss) |
Stoke have managed to score an average of 1.20 goals per game in their last five outings and have kept two clean sheets. These performances hint at a team capable of scoring but also susceptible to conceding. Their defensive fragility has been an issue, as evidenced by recent losses to Coventry, Middlesbrough, and Norwich.
Stoke Key Players
Expected lineup for Stoke:
- Goalkeeper: Viktor Johansson
- Defenders: Junior Tchamadeu, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal
- Midfielders: Jordan Thompson, Wouter Burger, Lewis Baker, Joon-ho Bae
- Attackers: Lewis Koumas, Ali Al-Hamadi
Lewis Baker, Stoke’s top scorer with 5 goals, will be key in their attacking plays. His midfield partnership with Wouter Burger provides stability and creativity. In defense, Ben Wilmot needs to be better to ensure they mitigate Millwall’s attack, especially from their top scorer Mihailo Ivanovic. A key battle to watch will be Ali Al-Hamadi against Millwall’s defenders, particularly Japhet Tanganga and Jake Cooper. Staying solid at the back and making the most of their attacking opportunities will be crucial for Stoke.
Away team Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Souleymane Sidibe | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
| Lynden Gooch | Leg injury | Late March 2025 |
| Ryan Mmaee | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
| Ben Gibson | Leg injury | Early April 2025 |
| Josh Wilson-Esbrand | Leg injury | Early April 2025 |
| Ben Pearson | Muscle injury | Late March 2025 |
| Enda Stevens | Knock injury | A few days |
| Eric Junior Bocat | Knock injury | A few days |
Stoke City are dealing with a significant list of injuries, which may affect their squad depth and key player availability for the match. Key players like Lynden Gooch, Ryan Mmaee, and Ben Pearson are all out with muscle injuries. Additionally, the knock injuries to Enda Stevens and Eric Junior Bocat could impact the defensive setup.
No suspensions are affecting the squad, but manager Mark Robins will need to be strategic in his selections to cope with these absences.
Away team Tactics and Formation
Stoke City’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Ali Al-Hamadi
- Midfield Trio: Jordan Thompson, Wouter Burger, Lewis Baker
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
Stoke City under Mark Robins prefer a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation. In this setup, Jordan Thompson and Wouter Burger provide the necessary defensive cover and midfield stability, allowing Lewis Baker to push forward and create offensive opportunities. With Ali Al-Hamadi leading the line, they will look to exploit any gaps left by Millwall’s defense, especially in the later stages of the game when Millwall tend to concede most of their goals. Defensively, Junior Tchamadeu and Ben Wilmot form a solid backline that has managed two clean sheets in the last five matches. This formation allows Stoke to effectively transition between defense and attack, aiming to control the midfield and nullify Millwall’s home advantage.
Millwall vs Stoke City Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke City | Millwall | 1-1 |
| Stoke City | Millwall | 0-0 |
| Millwall | Stoke City | 1-0 |
| Stoke City | Millwall | 0-1 |
| Millwall | Stoke City | 2-0 |
The recent encounters between Millwall and Stoke City have mostly been low-scoring affairs. In their last five meetings, Millwall has dominated with three wins and two draws. Less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 78% of these matches, highlighting the defensive nature of their clashes. Millwall has managed to prevent Stoke from winning in all these encounters, indicating a psychological edge heading into this game.
