The Den plays host to an opening weekend Championship encounter between Millwall and Middlesbrough this Saturday afternoon.
Millwall had a remarkable second part of the last season, which saw them climb all the way up the table and finish in eighth place. Bookmakers think that this season they will struggle, though, and have them as sixth favourites for the drop.
Middlesbrough failed to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking finishing in fifth and then losing to Aston Villa in the play-offs. They will hope to push on for a full summer working under Tony Pulis who took over as manager during last season.
The corresponding fixture last season came in mid-December and it was won 2-1 by the Lions. The fixture at Teeside came at the end of April and was won 2-0 by the North East outfit.
Read on for our Millwall v Middlesbrough stats, team news, predictions and betting tips.
Millwall v Middlesbrough tip
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Millwall were tough to beat at home last season, losing only four times, so Boro might not want to be taking them on here in the start to the season. I could not put you off backing them, although the draw is also a real runner given how Tony Pulis views a road trip.
One bet that looks appealing is for this game to be level going into the interval, which would have paid in 13 of the 23 league fixtures at the Den last campaign. Middlesbrough would probably be quite content with keep things tight early also.
Shaun Williams grabbed two in his last four home matches, one of which was a penalty, and at generous odds looks a good each-way bet in the goalscorer markets.
Game to be level at half-time – 1/1
Shaun Williams first goalscorer, each-way – 1/3
Odds correct at time of publishing (03/08/2018, 19:30)
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What can Millwall and Middlesbrough expect from the 18/19 Championship season?
The Lions would have finished second based purely on the second half of the Championship season and will look to continue this form. The Den will continue to be a fortress. They suffered just four defeats in front of their own fans last season.
Millwall scored just 56 times last season and they need one of their forwards to go higher than ten goals, which was the figure for their top-scorers last time. They have not lost anyone but so far have yet to bring anyone in.
At the back, they were strong with the joint-fourth best defensive record in the division, conceding just 45 goals. This was especially strong in the second part of the season, when they shipped just 20 goals in 23 fixtures.
Boro sacked Garry Monk just before Christmas and replaced him on Boxing Day with former Stoke boss Tony Pulis. The Welshman was in charge was for 26 games, winning 12, drawing six and losing eight and will hope he can stamp his authority on the side this summer.
They were the joint-seventh highest goalscorers with 67 goals, led by Britt Assombalonga, who grabbed 15 himself. He should lead the line again with the Teessiders having chosen to strengthen at the back rather than in the striking department this summer.
The 45 they conceded was the joint-fourth best in the division and it can only improve from a summer under Pulis, who has sides well drilled. They have also spent big money at the back bringing in Aden Flint and Paddy McNair.
Millwall v Middlesbrough team news
Millwall have no registered injuries or suspensions ahead of this opening fixture.
Boro’s Daniel Ayala (calf) and Adama Traore (dislocated shoulder) are doubts for the opener.
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