Match Pack: Watford v Millwall

• Watford v Millwall
• Sky Bet Championship
• Vicarage Road
• Saturday October 28, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: Keith Stroud
• Assistant Referees: Craig Taylor and Jonathan Hunt
• Fourth Official: Peter Wright

The Lions have recorded an almost even spread of wins, draws and defeats so far in the 2023/24 second-tier campaign, and are currently placed 16th in the table - one place below Watford.

Long-serving manager Gary Rowett left the club on October 18, following a spell in the dugout at The Den that began in 2019. Since Rowett’s departure, and under the guidance of Interim Manager Adam Barrett, Millwall have drawn with Preston North End and been defeated by Blackburn Rovers.

Without a win since the start of October, the South-Londoners will be eager to get one over the Hornets after coming out on top in both of the sides’ meetings last term.

• Watford have lost their last two league games against Millwall, as many as they had in their previous 18 games combined against the Lions (W12 D4 L2).

• Millwall are looking to win consecutive away league visits to Vicarage Road for the first time since a four-game run between 1995 and 2002.

• The Hornets have only lost two of their last 11 home league games against the Lions (W7 D2), winning five of their last seven such games (D1 L1).

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Millwall In Numbers.

Ryan Andrews is Watford’s only absentee, with the young defender set to serve the final match of his four-game suspension.

For Millwall, Joe Bryan will be missing after being withdrawn during the home defeat against Blackburn in midweek. Matija Šarkić, Ryan Leonard and Duncan Watmore are also unavailable, while the fitness of Shaun Hutchinson and Kevin Nisbet will be assessed before kick-off.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

“I think we have good momentum after the two wins, everything is going in the right direction and now we have a home game in front of us, so we’re all fully focused on coming out with another positive result.

“In the Championship you have to be ready to deal with all different ways of playing, and tomorrow will be another one. But we will be prepared, and I’m confident the guys will deal with the challenge. So far recently they have dealt with the challenges against Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea, now they just have to deal with another one.”

Click HERE to see Ismaël’s full pre-match press conference.

Paul Robinson, Millwall Interim Assistant Manager:

“We have to be on the front foot. We can’t afford to sit back and worry about what’s going to happen. We have to stay positive and keep the lads focused, and believing in what we’re trying to do – and until we’re told otherwise, that’s what we’ll be doing.

“We want to play attacking football and be aggressive, and it can be hard to get players to do that sometimes. But as a coach you have to keep driving the instructions in.”

Overall:

Won: 33
Drawn: 28
Lost: 44

Last Six:

December 2022: Watford 0-2 Millwall (Championship)
October 2022: Millwall 3-0 Watford (Championship)
April 2021: Watford 1-0 Millwall (Championship)
January 2021: Millwall 0-0 Watford (Championship)
January 2017: Millwall 1-0 Watford (FA Cup)
April 2015: Millwall 0-2 Watford (Championship)

Goals from Troy Deeney, Fernando Forestieri, Ikechi Anya and Lewis McGugan gave Watford a memorable 4-0 victory over Millwall in Beppe Sannino’s first home game in the dugout back in December 2013.