AFC Bournemouth will be hoping for a repeat performance from last season when they face Championship rivals Millwall at The Den on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).
Goals from Phil Billing, Arnaut Danjuma, David Brooks and Dominic Solanke earned the Cherries a 4-1 win at the venue in April in one of the best displays of 2020/21.
Millwall have lost just two of their past 14 league games, a run which has included home wins over Blackpool (2-1), Bristol City (1-0), Stoke City (2-1) and Reading (1-0).
Also on home soil, The Lions have drawn 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City and Derby County and suffered defeats at the hands of Fulham (2-1) and Luton Town (2-0).
Gary Rowett’s team saw off Portsmouth and Cambridge United at The Den to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup, exiting 2-0 to Premier League Leicester City in September.
Ahead of the clash, afcb.co.uk caught up with Alex Grace who follows the fortunes of Millwall for NewsAtDen.
MILLWALL PROFILE
Ground: The Den
Nickname: The Lions
Manager: Gary Rowett (appointed October 2019)
Club captain: Alex Pearce
Current league position: Ninth
Leading goalscorer 2021/22: Jed Wallace (five in the Championship)
Last game: Middlesbrough 1-1 Millwall (Championship)
afcb.co.uk: How would you sum up the season so far for Millwall?
AG: I would say it's been a fairly decent start for Millwall, all things considered. Gary Rowett has only had a full-strength squad to choose from once this season.
Many feel that performances have not yet reached the level they can and I would go along with that. Despite this, results have been fairly good.
Ninth place in the table and just three points off the top six, it's also Millwall's best start to a season at this level since being promoted in 2017.
Only Fulham and Bournemouth have lost fewer games than the Lions this season but it's the same problem as last season in terms of too many draws.
Eight times the Lions have shared the spoils out of 18 games this term. Those draws need to be turned into wins.
afcb.co.uk: Give us a word on Gary Rowett’s tenure?
AG: I would say it's been a very successful one. He has won 41 of his 107 games in charge of the club so far. Back-to-back top-half finishes and he has made the side really defensively solid.
Again, only the top three have conceded fewer goals than Millwall so far this season.
His style of football does create a few divisions among the fan base. Some are happy with the results - which can't really be questioned in some ways.
However, the style of football at times can be hard to watch with a lack of attacking intent.
Overall, I would say considering the resources and the fact the fans have been missing for a large part of his tenure, he's done a cracking job.
afcb.co.uk: How has Benik Afobe fared this season?
AG: It's been a bit of a stop-start season for Benik.
He started the season as first-choice striker but picked up an injury and sat out a few games but now looks to have got the place back.
In terms of goals, it's only two for him so far and both of those came back in August against Fulham and Cardiff City.
However, it's not been through a lack of effort. He gives his all in every game but has also been a victim from a lack of quality service.
If that changes then I do think he will be able to find the net on a more regular basis.
afcb.co.uk: Having finished 11th last season, what are the expectations of supporters for this season?
AG: The Lions have had two seasons where they have been in and around the play-offs but not quite had enough to take that step.
I think the additions of Benik Afobe and George Saville in the summer have raised those expectations just a little bit more.
Personally, I would say that if they are within six points of the top six going into the final five or six games of the season, then Gary Rowett has once again done a wonderful job.
If that is the case, we all know how much Millwall love their status as the underdog.
afcb.co.uk: Who is Millwall’s one to watch?
AG: Jed Wallace.
He is at the heart of everything that Millwall do well. He has been involved in ten of Millwall's 18 goals this season, scoring five and assisting five.
He is at the heart of everything Millwall do well in the attacking third of the pitch and is also a big threat from free-kicks in and around that 20-25 yard area.
afcb.co.uk: Are any key players either suspended or injured against the Cherries?
AG: Jake Cooper picked up his fifth booking of the season against Middlesbrough on Saturday, meaning he will miss the clash.
acb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
AG: It's a tough one to call. Bournemouth will be looking for a response after losing at Derby and Millwall will want to avenge the 4-1 defeat at the end of last season.
Millwall fans won't be overly pleased with me saying this but I'm going for a 2-2 draw.
You can follow Alex on Twitter – @NewsAtDen
Officials: Dean Whitestone (referee), Andrew Fox (assistant), Mark Pottage (assistant), James Linington (fourth official).
