This Week's Opposition: Millwall

Kirsty Roxanne provides insight on Portsmouth's next Championship opponent.

A goal from Josh Murphy in the opening 20 minutes last time out allowed Pompey to claim all 3 points at Fratton Park against Blackburn.

Next up, a trip to the capital to visit Millwall.

MANAGER

The head coach for The Lions is Alex Neil.

After his professional playing career as a midfielder, Neil became Hamilton’s player-manager in 2013 and led them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2014.

Neil also managed the likes of Norwich City, Preston North End, Sunderland and Stoke City, guiding Norwich to the Premier League through the Championship Play-Offs in 2015 and helping Sunderland win promotion from League One in 2022, also via the Play-Offs.

After the departure of Neil Harris in December, Alex Neil was appointed head coach of Millwall on a long-term contract. He lost his first game in charge as Millwall were defeated 1-0 by Oxford.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to keep tabs on this weekend is number 24, Casper De Norre.

The Belgian midfielder, who can also play right-back, made his pro debut for Belgian Division One side St. Truiden, where he spent 3-and-a-half years.

After spells at Genk and OH Leuven, De Norre made the move from Belgium to England and signed a 4-year deal with Millwall in July 2023.

He scored his first Lions goal on the final day of the 23/24 season at Swansea and so far this campaign, he has bagged 3 goals and 1 assist.

TOP SCORER

Mihailo Ivanović is The Lions’ current top goalscorer following his recent 94th minute penalty against Stoke, which put him above previous occupier Duncan Watmore on 5 goals.

Ivanović joined Millwall from Vojvodina back in the summer transfer window for a reported £2.8million.

On his return to Serbia, Ivanović netted 9 times in the 2023/24 campaign, gaining UEFA Europa Conference League experience in the process while this current season has seen the 20-year-old play 9 times.

So far this campaign, the striker has netted 6 goals.

CURRENT FORM

The Lions currently occupy 13th in the Championship, winning 2 out of their last 5 matches and accumulating a points total of 51 so far.

In the rescheduled return fixture at Fratton Park, it was Alex Neil’s side that put a stop to Pompey's run of 7 unbeaten matches on home soil as they came out on top with a 1-0 victory and a goal from top goalscorer Mihailo Ivanović.

Can the Blues fight off The Lions and be rewarded with all 3 points at The Den?

Find out by tuning in to Pompey Live on Express FM this Saturday (April 5th) afternoon from 2pm - Jake Smith will be joined in South East London by Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson to cover this Championship encounter.

Kick-off: 3pm!