Blackburn vs Millwall Prediction: Harris to inspire Lions

The Championship returns with a crucial clash near the bottom of the table as Blackburn host Millwall at Ewood Park on Tuesday night (19:45). Both clubs are level on 39 points apiece, just one point above the drop zone, which makes this a relegation six-pointer. 

The similarities between the clubs continues as both have relatively new faces in the dugout. Well, sort of. John Eustace replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson at the start of February, while Millwall legend Neil Harris returned to the club he left in 2019, just ten days later. Millwall appear to be enjoying their new-manager bounce, while Blackburn’s mini-revival has quickly faded away. 

Below we’ve taken a look at this crucial clash and come up with a couple of betting tips for you to consider. 

Team News

Blackburn could be without Sondre Tronstad after he missed the defeat to Swansea, while Ryan Hedges is still struggling with a groin issue. Semir Telalovic was ill at the weekend and is unlikely to return here given the quick turnaround, while Andrew Moran was subbed at half-time and may lose his place in the starting XI as a result. Midfielder John Fleck has also been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Millwall’s biggest issues come up front where Tom Bradshaw has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles issue. Kevin Nisbet’s hamstring problem has sidelined him for the foreseeable, leaving Harris with Michael Obafemi and Zian Flemming as striking options.

Match Odds

Blackburn Rovers are the 6/5 favourites to win this game, with Millwall priced at 23/10. A draw can be backed at 23/10, BTTS is 8/11 and over 2.5 goals is 10/11.

Millwall to win @ 23/10

I’m surprised Millwall are priced as the outsiders for this one. Since returning to the club, Harris has reinvigorated the Lions, going back to basics to record successive wins. The away win over Southampton was a big shock, but they followed it up with a hard-fought 1-0 success over Watford at the Den. 

Joe Edwards had tried to make Millwall a possession-based, pretty footballing side. It was a risk that didn’t pay off, as he was swiftly removed from his head coach position. Now Millwall have got back to basics, with Harris’ functional footballing style. In truth, the battling displays he can produce just seem to fit the club far better than Edwards’ risky football. 

Two wins on the bounce have alleviated Millwall’s relegation woes slightly, but there is still work to do. They travel to Ewood to take on a Rovers side who haven’t won in their last six outings. 

Their positivity that came with Eustace’s arrival has quickly faded and the defeat to Swansea will have set alarm bells ringing. Now they are in danger of dropping into the bottom three for the first time this season, up against an in-form Millwall. This could end badly for Rovers. 

Zian Flemming to score @ 5/2

Millwall have scored three goals in their last two matches, and two of them have come from Zian Flemming. The designated penalty-taker notched against Southampton, and then followed it up with the winner against QPR. Although many would point to Millwall’s lack of striking options, I actually believe it opens up an opportunity. 

Fleming and Obafemi are both almost guaranteed to play 90 minutes, and Flemming is a huge price to score anytime. He’s Millwall’s best player, and their key man in this relegation scrap. Given I believe they can get at this Blackburn defence, Flemming can find the net at 5/2.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.