Millwall v Nottingham Forest: Championship betting preview & free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and predictions for Millwall v Nottingham Forest in the Sky Bet Championship at The Den.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Millwall
1pt 31-20 Hills
Back this tip with William Hill

Team news

Millwall
Shaun Hutchinson and Shane Ferguson are doubts. Ryan Leonard and Jason McCarthy are out for a while.

Nottingham Forest
Yuri Ribeiro could be in contention after injury. Ryan Yates is suspended

Match preview

Former Millwall boss Neil Harris masterminded Nottingham Forest’s downfall at the weekend and now the new incumbent at The Den can make it a quickfire lose double for Sabri Lamouchi.

Forest had been going well until Harris’s new side Cardiff came to the City Ground on Saturday and waltzed away with a 1-0 win. The only goal of the game, scored by Nat Mendez-Laing, was the first Forest had shipped in four matches.

Now they head to the capital where last week they enjoyed a fine 4-0 romp at QPR helped, admittedly, by Rangers going down to ten men early in the second period.

Millwall, revived under ex-Derby player and manager Gary Rowett, will be an altogether tougher test and the hosts are certainly playing well enough to take the points.

It’s two defeats in 11 for the Lions who have risen to mid-table and are playing a lot of nice football under Rowett, with a style that’s easier on the eye than it was under his predecessor.

Silly price tags are now being attached to chief architect Jed Wallace, although for all the lovely build-up play and pace on the counter they will unapologetically look to vary it by going direct to giant target-man Matt Smith whenever he’s on the pitch.

It’s a toxic blend and means Forest know they’ll be tested by crosses and set-plays.

They’ve lost only one of their last ten away, although they are the lowest scorers in the top half of the division. They have scored just 24 goals in 18 games but only Leeds have conceded fewer goals.

Forest have drawn at Leeds (albeit fortuitously) and won at Fulham (2-1 on 23 percent possession) and are clearly happy soaking up pressure and using the craft of players like Joe Lolley on the break. And in Lewis Grabban they boast an in-form striker.

Forest are six points and nine places superior to Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship table. Over the last six matches, however, it’s Millwall who have the edge and improvements under Rowett are set to continue.

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