Championship | Gameweek 31

Feb 18, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Deepdale

Preston vs Millwall

Match preview

Preston have proved to be a tough side to beat in recent times, losing just one of their last nine games in all competitions, with their only defeat in that period coming at the hands of Blackburn Rovers at the end of January.

The Lilywhites bounced back with a penalty shoot-out win over Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup, before edging out Norwich City 1-0 away from home.

They kept a third successive clean sheet in Saturday's goalless draw with promotion-chasing Burnley, although the game was marred by a second-half incident involving Milutin Osmajic and Hannibal Mejbri.

An FA investigation is now underway after Hannibal claimed he was racially abused by Osmajic, while the Preston striker has "strongly denied the allegations" as Preston issued a statement confirming they were aware of the complaint.

While the investigation continues, Osmajic will be available for Tuesday's Championship clash with Millwall as Paul Heckingbottom's side look to extend their unbeaten home run to 12 games.

Preston may need to make the most of their home advantage, having not beaten Millwall since a 3-1 away win in February 2019.

Millwall travel to Deepdale hoping to get back to winning ways after taking just one point from their last two games.

The Lions saw their three-match winning run come to an end with a demoralising 5-1 away defeat to relegation-threatened Plymouth Argyle.

They then had to settle for a point at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after Joe Bryan put the ball into his own net for the second game in a row to cancel out Jake Cooper's 19th-minute opener at The Den.

Alex Neil's side will be on the road for the first time since the devastating defeat in Devon, but they can take confidence from the fact that they had avoided defeat in each of their four league games away from home before the trip to Plymouth.

They will also draw inspiration from their impressive record against Preston, having won seven and drawn four of their previous 11 head-to-head meetings.

The Lions have the chance to complete the league double against the Lilywhites after running out 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in September thanks to goals from George Honeyman, Romain Esse and Macaulay Langstaff.

Recent Performance

Preston North End Championship form:DWWLWD

Preston North End form (all competitions):WWLWWD

Millwall Championship form:DWWWLD

Millwall form (all competitions):WWWWLD

Team News

Preston midfielder Duane Holmes will be sidelined until April with a broken fibula suffered in the away game at Norwich earlier this month.

Holmes is joined in the treatment room by Jack Whatmough, Jordan Storey and Ben Whiteman, although Preston will be boosted by the return of Ali McCann, who has served a two-match ban for accumulating yellow cards.

Robbie Brady and Emil Riis are likely to be named on the bench after returning from injury to come on as substitutes in Saturday's draw.

The visitors will be without Ryan Leonard, Danny McNamara, Calum Scanlon and Josh Coburn.

Midfielder George Saville and winger Camiel Neghli are in contention for recalls after dropping to the bench at the weekend.

Aidomo Emakhu returned from a spell on the sidelines to come on as an unused substitute at The Hawthorns and will be a useful option off the bench for Tuesday's away game.

Possible starting lineup

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Porteous, Gibson, Hughes; Kesler-Hayden, Potts, Ledson, Meghoma; Thordarson, Frokjaer-Jensen; Osmajic

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan; De Norre, Saville; Neghli, Cundle, Azeez; Ivanovic