Millwall is aiming for their first-ever promotion to the Premier League, currently secured in the Championship play-offs. A win or draw against Leicester could elevate them to second place, increasing pressure on rivals Ipswich.
Key points
Millwall aims for first-ever Premier League promotion
Championship play-off spot secured
A win or draw at Leicester could elevate them to second place
Ipswich currently holds second place on goal difference
Ipswich faces a tougher schedule than Millwall
MillwallIpswichLeicester CityPremier League
Millwall have a first-ever promotion to the Premier League in their sights.
A Championship play-off spot is already secured and an automatic promotion place remains within their grasp.
They will go second with a win or draw at Leicester on Friday night, live on Sky Sports, putting the pressure back on promotion rivals Ipswich, who currently hold that position on goal difference and with a game in hand over the Lions. The Tractor Boys, though, face a trickier run-in - on paper.
So how have Millwall - with their lower mid-table budget and wage bill - got themselves into this lofty position? We pick out five factors driving them upwards…
Any assessment of Millwall's progress must start with the manager. There has been financial support from chairman James Berylson, while director of football Steve Gallen has led a successful recruitment campaign in recent windows. But Neil has pulled it all together and created a team to be reckoned with.
Q&A
What factors are driving Millwall's promotion bid to the Premier League?
Five key factors are contributing to Millwall's strong performance and promotion aspirations in the Championship.
How can Millwall secure automatic promotion to the Premier League?
Millwall can secure automatic promotion by winning or drawing their upcoming match against Leicester City.
What is Millwall's current position in the Championship standings?
Millwall has already secured a Championship play-off spot and is vying for an automatic promotion place, currently competing closely with Ipswich.
What challenges do Ipswich face in the promotion race against Millwall?
Ipswich has a trickier run-in compared to Millwall, which may impact their ability to maintain their position in the promotion race.
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At the business end of this season, his experience has been key. With three successful play-off campaigns under his belt (in Scotland, League One and the Championship), he has been able to manage the mentality of a group of players largely unfamiliar with what it takes to make this next step.
Lions lacking Premier League experience
Millwall's squad only has a combined 228 Premier League appearances. Only four players have played more than 30 times in the top flight.
In contrast, Friday's opponents, Leicester, have a squad with 1,770 Premier League appearances between them.
"Inever encourage the players to read and listen to what people say. We only focus on what's in front of us. We don't get carried away with anything," he says about keeping the team grounded. But their success is no surprise to him.
"I understand how important it is to the club, I understand how important it is to the fans, it's certainly important to me, it's important to the players. But when you work every single day, every single minute to get somewhere, you don't sit there as if you've won the lottery, because it's not fortune, it's hard graft every single day for every single person at the club."
Neil has also encouraged his players to revel in the opportunity they have created. "Embrace it, really enjoy it, don't let it pass you by."
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For a club that has finished in the top half of the Championship six times in the past eight seasons without making the play-offs, Neil's know-how - technically and tactically on the field and in managing the situation - has been crucial for Millwall.
Captain Cooper and strong bonds
josh coburn millwall
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Captain Jake Cooper congratulates Josh Coburn
Millwall were last in the Championship play-offs 24 years ago. Speaking to the man who took them there, Mark McGhee, this week, his lasting memory was not just the quality of that 2001/02 team but the spirit they shared and the friendships between them, which still last until today.
This current Millwall crop have similar bonds. "They fight for each other, they care for each other, they support each other," says Neil.
Did you know?
Millwall's two seasons in the top tier came between 1988 and 1990.
Captain Jake Cooper sets the tone. The longest-serving player but still the first at the training ground each day. Ten years into his time at Millwall, the towering centre-back is leading his team-mates to new heights.
There have been jokes about his mullet haircut - but it epitomises the relaxed mood in the camp, midfielder Massimo Luongo said this month. There is talent in this squad but, united behind Cooper, they are worth more than the sum of their parts.
A mean defence
Cooper is also exceptionally good at what he does on the pitch, ranking second in the Championship for aerial duels won and fifth for clearances. He carries significant attacking threat from set-pieces but also marshals a backline that has the joint-best defensive record in the division.
With Caleb Taylor his regular centre-back partner, and Zak Sturge and Tristan Crama impressing at full-back, Millwall have kept the most clean sheets (17) in the league.
Millwall's rankings in the Championship this season
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Millwall's rankings in the Championship this season
They are well protected by the relentless running of midfielder Casper De Norre and the combination is a foundation upon which the promotion challenge has been built.
Away-day record breakers
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EFL HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Millwall
Those defensive numbers are even more impressive on the road - just 23 goals conceded in 22 games.
The lazy cliché is to say "Millwall: tough place to go". But it's proved even tougher for opposition sides when Millwall have come to town.
They top the table when results away from home are ranked, with a club-record 11 wins achieved beyond the Den.
Away games suit their strengths: a tight defence, a set-piece threat and counter-attack options. Consecutive games at Ipswich and Middlesbrough either side of the March international break, in which Millwall took four points off their promotion rivals, underlined their ability to perform wherever they are.
Azeez and the attacking difference-makers
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millwall
Femi Azeez tells Sky Sports about his incredible form for Millwall this season that has helped spark their promotion push
Of course, all of that hard work, team unity and defensive fight only takes you so far. You need some magic, too.
Femi Azeez has been the chief conjurer. Named in the EFL Championship team of the year (along with Crama), Azeez has nine goals and seven assists so far this season. Whether he's cutting in from the right to shoot with his favoured left foot or going around the outside to cross, Azeez has been a handful for opposition defences all season.
More recently, No 10 Camiel Neghli has come to the party, too, producing four goal involvements in his last six appearances, belatedly showing off the technical talents which caught the eye in the Eredivisie.
The pair offer creativity and craft around the tireless strikers Josh Coburn and Mihailo Ivanovic, who have 18 goals between them and many, many kilometres under their feet.
The verdict: Underrated Neil must help Lions avoid a late slip-up
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast looks ahead to the Championship clash
Sky Sports' Gary Weaver on the Essential EFL podcast:
"Millwall's away form has been excellent, the best in the Championship, 40 points this season. They've won 23 of their 43 games, only Coventry have won more.
"Alex Neil is so underrated. Tactically magnificent. He switched things around against Middlesbrough and got to grips with their shape.
"Millwall will try to set up a massive final day at home to Oxford.
"It's a strange situation, and Leicester boss Gary Rowett could land a blow on his former club. Millwall are going to a club in a mess, but it's the Championship, you get strange results at this time of the season."
