Millwall vs Norwich City Prediction: A cagey post-Christmas at The Den

Promotion-chasing Norwich City travel to Millwall on Friday looking to keep their play-off hopes alive. The Den certainly isn’t the place you want to visit when you’re off-the-pace in the Championship table.

Norwich City are used to having it all to play for during the festive period. Whether they find themselves fighting Premier League relegation or battling for another Championship promotion, The Canaries usually have skin in the game at this stage.

This season is no different. While the optics aren’t good as Norwich sit in 12th place, they are a tantalising two points off Sunderland in sixth. The coveted play-off places are still in view and, while that is the case, Norwich always have a chance.

While their opponents seem hard-wired to always exist within the promotion debate, Millwall have carved out a less glamorous existence. But what The Lions have done over the past few seasons is no less remarkable in its own way. Since winning promotion from League One in the 2016-17 season, Millwall have become a consistent Championship presence. They have only finished outside the top half once in six seasons back in the second tier.

This season however, the outlook is less rosy. Manager Gary Rowett was let go in October, with former Chelsea assistant Joe Edwards now in the hot seat. Results haven’t improved massively, with the 37-year–old overseeing just two wins from nine games. Millwall sit a precarious 20th in the table currently.

Team News:

Norwich City’s Borja Sainz is suspended for this encounter after being sent off against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. The Canaries are also without Jakob Sorensen due to a groin injury while Josh Sargent continues to nurse a ligament problem. Dimitrios Giannoulis is also considered a doubt.

Millwall come into the contest without Casper De Norre, who misses out with a calf complaint. Other than that though, Edwards looks set to have his choice from the whole squad.

Match Odds:

Norwich City are 7/4 to take all three points home from The Den. A strong price indicative of the fact they have won just two of their last five games. Millwall can be backed at 11/8, tempting considering the myth of their intimidating home ground and the fact they are unbeaten in their last three. Given recent draws the two teams have wrought, 21/10 for the draw isn’t out of the question.

Considering each side has seen a score to nil in three of their last five games, EVS on just one team to score could be a moneymaker. 

Jonathan Rowe to score first @ 8/1

The 20-year-old winger has shown promise for a couple of seasons now. Rowe made 12 Premier League appearances in the 2021-22 season. While he only saw Championship action three times last season, this term he has been a constant.

10 goals in 22 games is a fine return, especially given his position wide on the right. On a feisty occasion at The Den, that extra bit of quality on the flank can be priceless in opening a game up. Rowe will certainly get chances and, given his rich vein of form, you’d back him to convert.

Both teams to score – No @ EVS

Millwall don’t score a vast amount of goals, with their 26 strikes keeping them in the lower reaches of the scoring table as well as the league itself. They don’t ship many either, meaning we could be in for a cagey one.

Norwich are leakier at the back but Millwall don’t look like a team who can exploit that greatly. On paper this feels like a game that could be settled by one goal. 

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