Southampton vs Millwall Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 22/02/2024, 09:10  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 24/02/2024 at 02:00 in Championship Prediction

Two sides with contrasting Championship ambitions will face off on Saturday afternoon when Southampton play host to Millwall. The hosts are currently in fourth place in the league standings, while the visitors are down in 21st place. Southampton began the season as one of the most fancied sides to earn automatic promotion back to the top flight. Following a very poor start to the season, they found their stride at the end of September with a 3-1 win over Leeds United which marked the beginning of an excellent run of results. The Saints went on an incredible run of 12 matches unbeaten between October and December and started this year firmly in the race for second spot. However, following a 2-1 loss to Hull City last week and a 3-1 defeat to Bristol City two weeks ago, they have dropped to fourth place with 67 points, trailing Ipswich and Leeds by two points. The hosts won nine in a row at home before that loss to Hull and beat this opponent 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in November. 

Meanwhile, after challenging for a playoff spot right until the final day of last season, Millwall have experienced a notable fall from grace this term. They are currently sat on 33 points in as many league matches so far, just one point above Queens Park Rangers, who are the first side below the dotted line. The Lions were handed their 16th defeat of the season last weekend, beaten 2-0 by second-bottom Sheffield Wednesday at the Den. That marked their fourth consecutive loss and eighth match without victory in all competitions. Millwall are yet to win a single match in 2024. Over that eight-match period, they conceded two or more goals six times and failed to keep a single clean sheet. The visitors have taken 17 points from a possible 48 on the road this season and are on a three-match losing streak. They are the clear outsiders in this one.