Millwall look to cause a cupset as Gary Rowett’s Lions host Crystal Palace at The Den in a South London derby in 2021-22 FA Cup.
Victory would see Millwall advance to the Fourth Round for the fifth time in the last six seasons, whilst defeat would see Palace exit at this stage for the fourth time in five seasons.
Team News
Jed Wallace could return for Millwall after resuming training this week following a recent muscle injury.
Danny McNamara (illness), Mason Bennett (knock) and Maikel Kieftenbeld (fitness) are doubts.
Ryan Leonard (ankle), Daniel Ballard (knee) and Connor Mahoney (hamstring) remain absent.
Palace could welcome Conor Gallagher back after he missed their last two matches through illness.
Nathaniel Clyne, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wilfried Zaha (all Coronavirus) could all return if declared match fit, although Clyne is more likely to return here ahead of the latter pair who are likely to be rested.
James McArthur (hamstring) won’t be risked until he is match fit.
Jordan Ayew is away on international duty for Ghana at 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Stat Attack
- Millwall have avoided defeat in seven of ten previous FA Cup matches against Crystal Palace in six ties (W4, D4, L2).
- Palace are winless in five previous FA Cup trips to Millwall (D3, L2).
- Millwall are unbeaten in five of their last seven FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition excluding penalty shootouts (W4, D1, L2).
- Since regaining promotion to Premier League in Summer 2013, Palace have won just one of three FA Cup ties against Championship opposition (W1, L2).
- Millwall have failed to score in two of their last three FA Cup home matches and proceeded to lose on both occasions (W1, L2).
Prediction
Both teams come into this match off the back of 3-2 defeats and with local pride at stake in South London, I am certainly expecting a competitive clash between two solid teams who’re separated by just one division and will be keen for a cup run.
Millwall’s biggest weakness though is their defence which looks incredibly vulnerable with just four clean sheets in their last 15 matches, so will have to have the game of their lives here if they’re to quieten players like Conor Gallagher and Christian Benteke.
Palace meanwhile were solid in their league loss to West Ham last weekend but scoring first is a must here after their defensive implosion against the Hammers after conceding first, which left them 3-0 down at half-time with the damage done despite a late fightback.
Add in Palace’s poor away record at The Den in this competition and this could well get scrappy and if that is the case, I can see Palace eventually having too much in the end after extra time.
Prediction: Millwall 1-2 (AET) Crystal Palace
Result: Millwall 1-2 Crystal Palace
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