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[monks data]
Millwall logo
Championship
Aug 30, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Blackpool

2-1

McDonald (33'), Malone (51')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Ranger (71')

Preview: Millwall vs. Blackpool

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between Millwall and pointless Blackpool at The Den.

Blackpool's search for a first point of the season continues on Saturday when they travel to face Millwall at The Den.

The shambolic situation the Seasiders find themselves in shows no signs of stopping as manager Jose Riga this week criticised chairman Karl Oyston over the club's transfer activity.

The Belgian wants more players at his disposal, but he already faces a huge task in arranging those he has into a cohesive unit following an unprecedented upheaval this summer.

The chaotic scenes off the field are being mirrored on it, with Blackpool one of only two teams left without a point in the Championship.

Indeed, the Tangerines have lost their first four league games in a season for the first time in 116 years, and not many would bet against them making it five in a row this weekend.

Not much expectation surrounds Blackpool on away trips as they have won just one of their last 20 outings on the road, including losing all three without scoring a goal this season.

No team has scored fewer goals in the Championship than Blackpool this season, although they haven't lost by more than one goal since the opening day.

Yet more new arrivals are expected before the end of the transfer window on Monday, but for this weekend Riga at least has no new injury concerns.

Millwall were expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle alongside Blackpool this season, but the Lions made a very impressive start to the campaign, winning their first three matches in all competitions.

However, they fell to their first defeat since March on Saturday, losing to newly-promoted Rotherham United having only managed one shot on target despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.

There was more disappointment in midweek as their League Cup journey came to an end, although Ian Holloway is unlikely to read too much into a 2-0 defeat to Premier League side Southampton.

The former Crystal Palace boss said at the start of the season that he was anticipating a top-half finish and, while his side would have lost some momentum with back-to-back defeats, matches like this one are must-wins if Millwall are to achieve that ambitious goal.

Mathias Ranegie has joined the club on loan from Watford but is unlikely to start this weekend, while Nicky Bailey is still an injury doubt for the hosts.

Recent form

Millwall: WWWDLL

Blackpool: LLLLL

Possible starting lineups

Millwall: Forde; Edwards, Dunne, Beevers, Malone; Woolford, Wright, Williams, Martin; McDonald, Fuller

Blackpool: Lewis; McMahon, Daniels, Clarke, Oriol; Lundstram, Rentmeister, Perkins; Delfouneso, Zoko, Zenjov

Sports Mole says: 0-0


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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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A general view of Blackpool's home ground Bloomfield Road on February 23, 2013
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