
On Monday 21st April, Millwall host Norwich City in a game that may well see their Championship playoff hopes dissipate for another season.
Following Good Friday's 4-1 capitulation away to Blackburn Rovers, The Lions sit six points adrift of Coventry City, who currently occupy sixth place in the division following a remarkable run of form under Frank Lampard.
The Canaries, though, did not fair much better themselves in the last round of fixtures, falling 5-3 at home to relegation threatened Portsmouth in a contest that was as unsurprising for Norwich fans as it was humiliating.
Johannes Hoff Thorup's side head to The Den entrenched in a dismal run of form, winning only one out of their last nine.
Norwich have very little to play for throughout the remainder of the season, this form seeing their own near-improbable playoff prospects fade entirely, whilst also having already mathematically secured their Championship status for next term.
In the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, Emiliano Marcondes and Oscar Schwartau netted as The Canaries ran out 2-1 winners at home. This result extended Norwich's fine recent form over Millwall, losing only one of the last ten fixtures between the two sides.
Yet, despite this, Neil's side will head into Monday's game favourites - a testament to the upturn in results under Neil since the turn of the year.
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Team news
Millwall
Neil saw preparations for Friday's encounter with Blackburn blighted by injury troubles.
With first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Jensen and deputy Liam Roberts both unavailable, Neil turned to nineteen-year-old debutant George Evans between the sticks. Despite Evans' baptism of fire, the youngster will likely keep his place in Neil's starting eleven with Jensen and Roberts still out.
Long-term defensive absentees Calum Scanlon and Danny McNamara were joined by starting left-back Joe Bryan in Friday's build-up, with right-back Ryan Leonard being forced into deputising. With Bryan's return unclear, Leonard will again likely be deployed out of position on Monday.
Millwall fans will be disappointed at the renewed absence of record signing Camiel Neghli. Following his €3.5 million January move from Sparta Rotterdam, the Algerian forward has been sidelined with ankle issues. Neghli initially returned to net the winner against Middlesbrough from the bench last week, but was left out at Ewood Park.
Duncan Watmore and young forward Zak Lovelace remain long-term absentees.
Despite Friday's disappointment, Neil's side will likely remain unchanged having made it through the contest unscathed.
Norwich
Young right-back Kellen Fisher is rumoured to be out for the remainder of the season following an early collision with Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy on Friday.
However, the Norwich medical team were happy for Fisher to continue and eventually complete 89 minutes, surely another blunder for a side that have seen an extraordinary number of injuries and suspensions impede any sort of cohesive playoff charge this term.
Both Josh Sargent and Marcelino Núñez were withdrawn on Friday with Thorup keen to manage their minutes, both being hampered by sustained fitness issues this season. Sargent may eventually be forced to sit out the visit to The Den, the striker keen to oust his misfiring teammate Borja Sainz from the league's top scorer spot before the end of the season.
It is unclear whether winger Ante Crnac is fit for involvement, having sustained an ankle injury away to Plymouth Argyle at the beginning of the month and subsequently missed the last three games.
Czech winger Matěj Jurásek will likely be fit enough to feature from the bench. Following his €7 million January switch from Slavia Prague, Jurásek has been limited to just 83 minutes of Championship action with Norwich fans left scratching their heads.
Scottish international Angus Gunn was excused from Friday's defeat with his wife due to give birth, but it is unclear whether he will be available to return so soon.
Ben Chrisene, Lucien Mahovo, and Lewis Dobbin remain out for the remainder of the season.
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Predicted lineups
Millwall
Evans; Harding, Crama, Cooper, Leonard; Honeyman, De Norre, Mitchell, Azeez; Ivanonić, Coburn
Norwich
Long; Stacey, Duffy, Córdoba, Doyle; McLean, Wright, Núñez; Schwartau, Sargent, Sainz
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Players to watch
Millwall - Mihailo Ivanović
Young Serbian international Mihailo Ivanović has made a very promising start to life in southeast London, netting nine league goals in his first season in English football after his summer switch from FK Vojvodina.
Ivanović has gone from strength to strength in recent times, four of those nine goals coming in his last five starts.
The striker will be confident of hitting double figures for the season on Monday against what is one of the division's most leaky defences.
Norwich - Jacob Wright
Youngster Jacob Wright has been a bright spark of late in an otherwise lacklustre campaign for The Canaries. Since his January loan switch from Manchester City.
Wright has provided stability in a Norwich midfield far too often cut open or marred by selection inconsistencies, Núñez and captain Kenny McLean falling foul to injury issues or needless suspensions.
His corners caused chaos against Portsmouth, also notching two assists. The buy option is surely a no-brainer for Thorup, assuming Wright wants to stay.
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Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at The Den in Bermondsey, southeast London.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Monday 21st April.
How can I watch?
The game will be televised live on SkySports+, with highlights available to watch after full-time.

