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Scunthorpe United
League One
Aug 22, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Millwall logo

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Preview: Scunthorpe United vs. Millwall

Sports Mole previews the League One clash between Scunthorpe United and Millwall.

Scunthorpe United will look to pick up their first home win of the season in League One when they face Millwall at Glanford Park.

However, they face a Lions side looking to put three consecutive defeats behind them as they try to get their bid for Championship promotion back on track.


Scunthorpe United

Huddersfield manager Mark Robins watches his team during the match against Nottingham Forest on August 3, 2013© Getty Images

The Irons will hope to avoid another relegation fight this term after staying up on the last day of the 2014-15 season.

However, United's form has been mixed so far this season, beginning with a narrow defeat against Burton Albion on the opening day of the campaign.

Mark Robins's men were then beaten 7-6 in a penalty shootout with Barnsley in the Capital One Cup last week, but managed to return to winning ways when Paddy Madden's brace helped them beat Crewe Alexandra.

Scunthorpe did lose 3-0 to promotion hopefuls Wigan Athletic, but their pre-season form and new signings could point at more cause for optimism.

The Irons won against Sheffield Wednesday and drew with Bolton Wanderers during their preparations for life in League One this term.

Furthermore, Robins will hope that the signings of ex-Stoke City midfielder Jamie Ness and former Leicester City striker Tom Hopper have a galvanising effect on Scunthorpe's chances of finishing further up the table this time around.

Recent form: WLLLWL
Recent form (all competitions): WLLDWL


Millwall

Fred Onyedinma of Millwall moves away from Luke Gambin of Barnet during the Capital One Cup First Round match between Millwall and Barnet at The Den on August 11, 2015© Getty Images

Millwall's season appears to have quickly come off the rails following successive defeats in the space of a week.

The Lions began their League One campaign with an away victory at Shrewsbury Town on the opening day.

However, after the South London club were beaten at home in the Capital One Cup by Barnet, it heralded a dreadful week, which led to Neil Harris questioning whether some of his players still wanted to play for the club.

Millwall then conceded four in a thumping defeat at the hands of Coventry City at The New Den, prompting Harris to reshuffle his defence for the impending visit of Barnsley.

Despite Fred Onyedinma's late equaliser for the hosts on Wednesday, the Tykes snatched a late 3-2 victory with a 93rd-minute Lewin Nyatanga goal.

Harris struggled to hide his unhappiness at his team's performance, claiming that he had "asked some of the group to go away and think if they want to play for this club".

Prior to their win over Shrewsbury, Millwall hadn't won a game since mid-April and will hope that their victory against the Shrews earlier this month is the start of better form on the road, having failed to triumph in their final six Championship games.

Recent form: DLLWLL
Recent form (all competitions): DLWLLL


Team News

Stoke's Jamie Ness in action against Southampton during their U21s Premier League match on December 13, 2013© Getty Images

Ness was handed his Irons debut in the loss at Wigan, but Robins will need to decide whether to continue with his summer signing or recall Sean McAllister.

Similarly, the United manager also faces a selection dilemma, with Gary McSheffrey and Stephen Dawson vying for another slot in midfield.

Meanwhile, Harris also has to decide whether he should reshuffle his defence or keep faith with Sid Nelson and Shane Ferguson.

If not, then Mark Beevers and club-captain Tony Craig are vying for places in the Lions' backline.

Onyedinma's brace should mean that he is retained in midfield, having been recalled for the Barnsley game on Wednesday.

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Anyon; Wiseman, Clarke, Mirfin, King; Laird, Ness, Bishop, Dawson; Hopper, Madden

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Forde, Cummings, Craig, Craig, Beevers, Onyedimna, Abdou, Williams, Upson, Gregory, Morison


Head To Head

Millwall will have fond memories of their last visit to Glanford Park in April 2011, after a John Marquis brace saw them beat the Irons 2-1 as the Lions completed the league double over them during that season.

However, those victories had ended a run of five consecutive victories for the Yorkshire men, including a playoff final triumph in May 2009.

Indeed, prior to that Marquis double in 2011, Millwall has failed to register a league victory at Glanford Park since 1984, when the teams met in the old Division Three.


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We say: Scunthorpe 2-1 Millwall

Scunthorpe are favourites to win in the eyes of bookmakers and, given Millwall's leaky defence during their past two outings, which has seen them concede seven goals, it is hard to argue with a comfortable United victory.



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Neil Harris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Leeds United at The Den on September 28, 2013
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