Blackburn vs Millwall Prediction, Match Preview, Saturday, 20 December

Blackburn vs Millwall Prediction, Match Preview, Saturday, 20 December. As we look ahead to this Championship clash, Blackburn Rovers will host Millwall at Ewood Park. This encounter promises to be a significant fixture as both teams vie for crucial points in their league campaigns. With the match scheduled for Saturday, 20 December, fans can expect a competitive showdown between these two English sides.

Ewood Park will provide the backdrop for this intriguing Championship match-up. Blackburn, playing at home, will aim to leverage their familiar surroundings to gain an advantage over Millwall. Meanwhile, Millwall will be eager to challenge their hosts and secure a valuable away result. This game is set to be a pivotal moment in the season for both teams, making it a must-watch for fans and bettors alike.

Blackburn vs Millwall Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Back Blackburn Rovers to Win	2.11

Given the odds and recent performances, our recommended betting tip is a home win for Blackburn. Despite their recent form, Blackburn’s impressive head-to-head record against Millwall and their strong home performances make them a valuable pick.

• Blackburn have won three of the last five encounters against Millwall, including a dominant 4-1 home victory earlier this year.
• Millwall’s recent defensive frailties were exposed in their 3-1 defeat to Hull, highlighting potential vulnerabilities.
• Blackburn have scored in 75% of their matches this season, indicating a high probability of finding the net at home.

Betting Odds

As Blackburn prepare to host Millwall at Ewood Park, the betting odds suggest a closely contested Championship clash. Blackburn are slight favourites with odds of 2.13, but Millwall’s odds of 3.38 indicate they cannot be underestimated, especially given their knack for upsetting the odds on the road.

Betting Tip	Odds
Blackburn to win	2.13
Draw	3.26
Millwall to win	3.38

The draw is priced at 3.26, reflecting the potential for a stalemate in this encounter. For those looking at goal markets, consider the over 2.5 goals option, as both teams have shown a tendency to be involved in high-scoring matches.

Blackburn Analysis & Past Performance

Blackburn have struggled to find winning form recently, with their last five matches yielding no victories, two losses, and three draws. Their most recent outing resulted in a 1-2 defeat against Portsmouth, highlighting persistent issues in converting opportunities into wins.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Portsmouth	Blackburn	2 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	13 Dec 2025
Blackburn	Oxford	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	9 Dec 2025
Blackburn	Ipswich	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	2 Dec 2025
Wrexham	Blackburn	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	29 Nov 2025
Blackburn	Queens Park Rangers	0 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	26 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
In their last five games, Blackburn have averaged 0.80 goals per match, scoring in four of these encounters but failing to keep a single clean sheet. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.20 goals per game, indicating vulnerabilities at the back. This lack of defensive solidity has been a critical factor in their inability to secure wins.

Performance at Home:
Blackburn’s home performance has been underwhelming, with only one win in their last ten matches at Ewood Park. They have drawn three and lost six, reflecting a win ratio of just 10% at home. The team has struggled to maintain defensive discipline, conceding in every one of these home fixtures.

Key Players & Dynamics:

• LDDDL

Andri Guðjohnsen stands out as Blackburn’s top scorer, having netted six goals this season. However, the team’s reliance on him highlights a need for more attacking options to alleviate the pressure on their primary striker. Blackburn’s current placement at 20th in the league with 22 points necessitates an urgent improvement in both tactical setup and execution.

Blackburn Suspensions & Injuries

Blackburn face a challenging situation with several key players unavailable due to injuries. Jake Garrett, Hayden Carter, Kristi Montgomery, and Ryan Hedges are all sidelined with injuries expected to keep them out until late December 2025. Their absence could force Blackburn to rely more heavily on less experienced squad members, potentially impacting their defensive solidity and midfield creativity. The absence of Adam Forshaw, who is out with a hamstring injury until early January 2026, further complicates the midfield dynamics, likely requiring tactical adjustments from coach Valérien Ismaël.

Player	Suspended By	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Ryan Alebiosu	National Team	1	Unknown

Ryan Alebiosu’s suspension due to national team commitments adds to Blackburn’s woes, particularly since he has been a regular in their midfield setup. His absence for this match means that Blackburn might need to reshuffle their midfield, potentially bringing in Sidnei Tavares or Dion De Neve to fill the void. This could affect their usual style of play, which relies on Alebiosu’s dynamism and work rate.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Jake Garrett	Leg injury	Late December 2025
Augustus Kargbo	Calf strain	Late January 2026
Scott Wharton	Achilles tendon injury	Late January 2026
Balazs Toth	Knee surgery	Late March 2026
Hayden Carter	Calf strain	Late December 2025
Kristi Montgomery	Ankle injury	Late December 2025
Ryan Hedges	Muscle strain	Late December 2025
Adam Forshaw	Hamstring strain	Early January 2026

These unavailabilities could influence betting markets, as Blackburn’s depth will be tested against Millwall. The absence of several first-team players may lead to a more cautious tactical approach, possibly affecting their attacking prowess. Punters might consider this when evaluating Blackburn’s chances of securing a positive result.

Blackburn Key Players

Blackburn’s key player spotlight shines on Andri Guðjohnsen, the team’s top scorer with 6 goals this season. Guðjohnsen’s ability to find the back of the net consistently from forward positions makes him a critical asset in breaking down opposition defences. His striking partnership with Yuki Ohashi is expected to be a focal point in Blackburn’s attacking strategy against Millwall. Ohashi’s agility and Guðjohnsen’s clinical finishing could prove a lethal combination.

In the midfield, Todd Cantwell stands out as a playmaker, orchestrating play and providing the creative spark needed to unlock defensive lines. His vision and passing range will be pivotal in transitioning play from defence to attack. Meanwhile, Sean McLoughlin’s presence in defence is crucial in maintaining Blackburn’s defensive solidity. His ability to read the game and intercept passes will be vital in thwarting Millwall’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Blackburn:

• Goalkeeper: Aynsley Pears
• Defence: Lewis Miller, Sean McLoughlin, Dion De Neve
• Midfield: Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Sidnei Tavares, Ryoya Morishita, Yuri Ribeiro, Todd Cantwell
• Forward: Yuki Ohashi, Andri Guðjohnsen

Blackburn Tactics and Formation

Blackburn Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Flexible 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Andri Guðjohnsen
• Midfield Engine: Todd Cantwell
• Defensive Concerns: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Focus on wing play and counter-attacks.

Blackburn’s recent tactical approach under Valérien Ismaël has seen them utilise a flexible 3-5-2 formation, which aims to provide balance between defensive solidity and attacking width. The presence of Lewis Miller and Yuri Ribeiro as wing-backs is crucial, offering width and support in both offensive transitions and defensive duties.

In midfield, Todd Cantwell plays a pivotal role, orchestrating the play and linking defence with attack. His ability to distribute the ball effectively helps Blackburn transition quickly from defence to attack, a strategy they often rely on given their recent performances.

Offensively, Blackburn lean heavily on Andri Guðjohnsen, their top scorer, who spearheads the attack alongside Yuki Ohashi. Despite their attacking intent, Blackburn’s defensive frailties are evident, as they have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches, highlighting a need for greater defensive coordination in upcoming fixtures.

Millwall Analysis & Past Performance

Millwall’s recent form in the Championship has been commendable, with the team securing three wins in their last five matches, including a significant 3-2 victory against Southampton and a 1-0 triumph over Sheffield Wednesday. Despite a recent setback at home against Hull (1-3), Millwall have displayed resilience and tactical discipline.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Millwall	Hull	1 – 3 (Loss)	Championship	13 Dec 2025
Derby	Millwall	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	10 Dec 2025
Bristol City	Millwall	0 – 1 (Win)	Championship	6 Dec 2025
Millwall	Southampton	3 – 2 (Win)	Championship	29 Nov 2025
Millwall	Sheffield Wednesday	1 – 0 (Win)	Championship	26 Nov 2025

Recent Form:

• LDWWW

Millwall’s attack has been effective, averaging 1.40 goals per game over their last five outings. Defensively, they have managed to keep two clean sheets, with an average of 1.20 goals conceded per match. Their away form shows room for improvement, with only one win in their last five away fixtures, resulting in a win ratio of 20%. Despite these challenges, Millwall’s current standing in the league is strong, as they sit fourth with 35 points, indicating their competitive edge in the league this season.

Millwall Suspensions & Injuries

Millwall face a challenging fixture against Blackburn with several key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions. The absence of Femi Azeez, serving a one-match ban following a red card, will necessitate a reshuffle in the midfield. The team will miss his creativity and dynamism, which could impact their ability to control the game’s tempo and create scoring opportunities.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Femi Azeez	Red card	1	Unknown

Injuries are also a significant concern for Millwall, with Lukas Jensen, Benicio Baker, Will Smallbone, Ryan Leonard, Billy Mitchell, and Casper de Norre all sidelined but expected to return by late December. Their absence will test the squad’s depth, particularly in midfield and defence, where tactical adjustments may be necessary. Coach Alex Neil might have to rely on less experienced players or change the formation to compensate for these losses.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Lukas Jensen	Achilles tendon injury	Late December 2025
Benicio Baker	Groin injury	Late December 2025
Massimo Luongo	Cruciate ligament injury	Early July 2026
Josh Coburn	Hip injury	Early January 2026
Will Smallbone	Hamstring injury	Late December 2025
Ryan Leonard	Calf injury	Late December 2025
Billy Mitchell	Hamstring injury	Late December 2025
Derek Mazou-Sacko	Knee injury	Early January 2026
Luke Cundle	Shoulder injury	Early February 2026
Casper de Norre	Calf injury	Late December 2025
Daniel Kelly	Hamstring injury	Mid January 2026

Massimo Luongo’s long-term cruciate ligament injury means he will be unavailable until July 2026, which is a considerable blow given his experience and influence in the midfield. With Josh Coburn and Derek Mazou-Sacko also out until early January, Millwall’s options in attack are limited, potentially affecting their scoring capability. These unavailabilities could influence the betting markets, with punters likely considering Blackburn as favourites due to Millwall’s depleted squad.

Millwall Key Players

Millwall’s attacking prowess this season is anchored by the dynamic forward Mihailo Ivanović. Known for his agility and clinical finishing, Ivanović has been instrumental in creating scoring opportunities. Despite Femi Azeez’s suspension, the team’s offensive strategy will heavily rely on Ivanović’s ability to navigate through Blackburn’s defence and capitalise on any lapses to find the back of the net.

In midfield, the creative force of Alfie Doughty cannot be understated. His vision and passing accuracy will be crucial in linking up play between the defence and attack, while Raees Bangura-Williams provides a robust defensive shield, allowing others to push forward. Defensively, Jake Cooper’s leadership and aerial dominance will be vital in neutralising Blackburn’s attacking threats, making him a cornerstone of Millwall’s backline.

Expected lineup for Millwall:

• Goalkeeper: Max Crocombe
• Defence: Tristan Crama, Caleb Taylor, Jake Cooper, Zak Sturge
• Midfield: Raees Bangura-Williams, Alfie Doughty, Macaulay Langstaff
• Forward: Thierno Ballo, Camiel Neghli, Mihailo Ivanović

Millwall Tactics and Formation

Millwall Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Mihailo Ivanović
• Midfield Pivot: Alfie Doughty and Camiel Neghli
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Strong midfield control with a focus on wide play.

Millwall’s 4-2-3-1 formation offers balanced coverage across the pitch, enabling both defensive stability and attacking options. The midfield pairing of Alfie Doughty and Camiel Neghli is pivotal, as they provide the necessary support to both the defence and attack, ensuring smooth transitions and maintaining possession.

Defensively, the back four, including Jake Cooper and Caleb Taylor, has been solid, contributing to two clean sheets in recent matches. This defensive setup is complemented by the full-backs’ ability to support offensive plays, particularly through overlapping runs.

Offensively, Millwall often exploit the flanks, with wingers like Femi Azeez and Thierno Ballo playing crucial roles in stretching the opposition’s defence. Mihailo Ivanović leads the line, with his positioning and finishing skills being key to converting chances created from wide areas.

Blackburn vs Millwall Head-to-Head Record

In the head-to-head record between Blackburn and Millwall, Blackburn have the upper hand with 12 wins compared to Millwall’s 4, alongside 7 draws. The last encounter was a convincing 4-1 victory for Blackburn in April 2025, showcasing their dominance in the Championship.

The last time Blackburn hosted Millwall at Ewood Park, the match ended in a 1-1 draw back in March 2024. Blackburn have generally been strong at home, and Millwall will need to break this pattern to secure a result.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Blackburn Rovers	Millwall	4 – 1	Championship	2025-04-18
Millwall	Blackburn Rovers	1 – 0	Championship	2024-12-21
Blackburn Rovers	Millwall	1 – 1	Championship	2024-03-05
Millwall	Blackburn Rovers	1 – 2	Championship	2023-10-24
Millwall	Blackburn Rovers	3 – 4	Championship	2023-05-08