Millwall vs Oxford United Prediction: Rowett returns to The Den

Millwall, under the guidance of new boss Alex Neil, welcome Oxford United, managed by their former head coach Gary Rowett, to The Den in the EFL Championship on Wednesday (13:00, Sky Sports+), looking to build on their recent home win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Lions have just won one of their last eight, though, and they host a U's side that have won two on the spin since Rowett took the helm. Read on for my Millwall vs Oxford United prediction, including the latest match odds and team news.

Millwall vs Oxford United Odds

Millwall are 7/10, which has an implied probability of 58.8%, to win this clash. Oxford United are 4/1 (20%) to come away with the three points, but they are yet to win a game away from home this term.

The draw is available at 11/4 (26.7%) with just two stalemates having been played at The Den in the league so far.

Both teams to score has been a winning selection in just four of the Lions' home games but it has struck in five of Oxford's 10 away trips. Under 1.5 goals has landed in seven of Millwall's 12 home games to date and is priced at 7/4 for Wednesday.

Przemyslaw Placheta has scored in both of Rowett's games in charge of Oxford United and he is 8/1 to strike anytime here.

Football Odds

Team News

Dave Livermore has overseen the Lions for the past few games and he is expected to remain on Neil's coaching staff. His input will be vital for the Scotsman in the first few weeks of his new job.

On the playing front, Millwall have a few injuries to deal with as defenders Dan McNamara (leg) and Jake Cooper (knee) remain out of action.

Centre-back Shaun Hutchinson recently returned to the squad following an issue of his own but he has had to settle for a place on the bench for the past three games, with Murray Wallace and Japhet Tanganga continuing their partnership in the heart of the backline.

It would suggest that they are waiting for Hutchinson to get back up to full fitness before returning to the XI, and the same goes for midfielder Billy Mitchell, who had been out for a lengthy period of time.

Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn is also unavailable after suffering a broken foot at the start of the festive campaign. The last couple of games have seen rotation up top between Macaulay Langstaff and Mihailo Ivanovic, so this could be in effect again, although Tom Bradshaw provides another option for the hosts.

For Oxford United,  they remain without the services of defensive duo of Ben Nelson and Joe Bennett due to quad and ankle injuries respectively.

Rowett has named the same team for the past two games which has had an impact as the U's have won two games on the spin since September. Placheta is in excellent goalscoring form so he should keep his place on the right.

Siriki Dembele could offer fresh legs from the left over Tyler Goodrham but it seems unlikely that the winger will be selected. This is because he briefly worked with Rowett at Birmingham City last season and was never picked for a start. Having only joined Oxford in the summer, his future at the club may already be in doubt.

Matt Phillips and Louie Sibley are other attacking players who can offer some energy as we head towards the end of the festive period.

Draw @ 11/4

Oxford United's away form may be horrific but I sense they can take something away from this clash in the capital, especially as they have gained some much-needed confidence from their last two wins, while Millwall have just the one win in eight.

The Lions picked up a respectable point at Coventry last time out but they were wasteful with the opportunities they did create. They will be wary that the visitors have posted 27 shots across the last two games and have scored five goals in the process.

Oxford's away form doesn't fill me with the greatest of confidence but their new boss does. Rowett has constantly thrived in challenging conditions, the same to which he finds himself in with the U's.

We've seen him do it at Burton Albion and Birmingham City, while we cannot forget the job he did with the Lions, despite the fans turning on him at the end of his tenure. He still had Millwall pushing for the top six in multiple campaigns and the fans were very quick to forget that.

This is his first return to The Den since his dismissal over a year ago and I think he will be desperate to silence his critics in SE16. I could see him leading Oxford to a result here and I would like to be able to back them to win, but their record of no wins in 10 is going to be hard to overcome. He may need some more time to turn those particular fortunes around.

That is why I am covering a draw here, which in the grand scheme of things would be an excellent result for his side.

Both teams to score @ 11/10

I like the look of this market because Millwall have blanked in just three of their 12 home games to date, while 56 per cent (22/39) of Oxford's goals have come away from home in the second tier this season.

The U's have found an attacking rhythm since Rowett came in and they will look to unleash that against the struggling Lions on Wednesday. The visitors were able to pick up a rare clean sheet against Plymouth Argyle last time out but they still shipped two goals against Cardiff City, another side who are struggling this year.

I'm not expecting a goal-fest due to how many low-scoring affairs we've had at this ground in 2024/25 but I think with Oxford's improved attack but lingering vulnerability away from home, BTTS is worth backing on this occasion.

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