Millwall opened with a commanding 2-0 win, posting an xG of 3.4 and allowing only 0.52 against, but both sides rotate heavily here with five regulars missing each. Norwich were beaten at home but generated nearly 3.0 xG themselves, suggesting this could be a more open contest tha…
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Sign inMillwall welcome Norwich City to The Den for an early kick-off in the second round of the Championship season on Saturday. Alex Neil's side began their campaign with a 2-0 win at Bristol City, while Norwich fell to a 2-1 home defeat by West Brom. A second successive victory would give the Lions a perfect start and, according to club insiders, start to build genuine excitement in SE16.
Millwall are without winger Femi Azeez, who tweaked a hamstring during the victory at Ashton Gate. New signings Mathis Servais, Mihailo Ivanovic and Tristan Crama remain short of match fitness, so Neil is likely to name a similar side to the one that won on the opening weekend. Josh Coburn, who scored both goals at Bristol City, will lead the line.
Norwich have their own absentees. Top scorer Jovon Makama is unlikely to be fit, while winger Ali Ahmed faces a long spell out with an ACL injury. Defender Lucien Mahovo is also sidelined with an ankle problem, but there is better news on Liam Gibbs – the midfielder is expected to return after a muscle issue. New left-back Darlin Yongwa could be involved for the first time after building up his training minutes.
Millwall lost only four of their last 22 matches at the end of last season, though all four defeats came at The Den. Coburn's double at Bristol City suggested the Lions have found a cutting edge that was sometimes missing last term. Norwich, meanwhile, have seen both teams score in eight of their last nine matches, including the 2-1 loss to West Brom and a 4-1 Carabao Cup win over MK Dons. The Canaries also won 2-1 on their last visit to The Den in April.
Coburn's movement and finishing were the difference at Ashton Gate, and the BBC's EFL pundit believes he can be the consistent goalscorer Millwall have craved. Norwich's defence, still adjusting after the summer, will need to be far tighter than they were against West Brom if they are to silence a player brimming with confidence.
Victory would put Millwall on six points from two games – a platform that, as BBC Radio London noted, could quickly turn quiet optimism into play-off excitement. Norwich, tipped to challenge under Philippe Clement, need a first point to avoid an early gap opening up. The Den's tight confines rarely allow a gentle contest, and a lunchtime London atmosphere should add an extra edge.
Both sides still have transfer business to do, but the focus on Saturday is squarely on the pitch. Millwall will aim to cement their fast start; Norwich must show the resilience that carried them so strongly through the second half of last season.
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