Preston North End vs. Millwall Prediction and Betting Tips

The EFL Championship is back with an exciting midweek clash as Preston North End host Millwall at Deepdale Stadium on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Both teams are neck-and-neck in the league table, with 41 points each, making this a crucial fixture for their late-season push. In this article, we’ll dive into the latest team news, head-to-head stats, key players, and betting tips to help you make informed decisions for this highly anticipated match.

Match Overview

Date, Time, and Venue

• Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
• Time: 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
• Venue: Deepdale Stadium, Preston, England
• Referee: Matt Donohue
• VAR: Not in use.

Current Standings

Both Preston North End and Millwall are tied on 41 points, with Millwall slightly ahead in 14th place due to a better goal difference. Preston sits in 15th, but a win could see them climb closer to the top half of the table.

Team Form and Recent Performances

Preston North End

Preston has been in solid form recently, losing just once in their last nine matches across all competitions. They are unbeaten in their last 11 home games, including a goalless draw against high-flying Burnley in their previous outing. This defensive resilience has been a key factor in their climb up the table.

• Recent Form: W-L-W-W-D
• Key Player: Emil Riis Jakobsen, the Danish forward, has been a standout performer with eight goals in 31 league appearances this season.

Millwall

Millwall, on the other hand, has been inconsistent but remains competitive. They are unbeaten in their last five matches against Preston and have lost just one of their last six away games. However, their recent 5-1 thrashing by Plymouth Argyle raises questions about their defensive stability.

• Recent Form: W-W-W-L-D
• Key Player: Duncan Watmore, the English forward, has contributed five goals and an assist in 26 league games, making him a crucial figure for Millwall.

Head-to-Head Record

Millwall holds a slight edge in the historical head-to-head record, with 15 wins compared to Preston’s 12. The last 11 encounters between these two sides have seen Millwall unbeaten, with seven wins and four draws. Notably, Millwall has not lost an away league game at Preston since December 2018.

Last Five Matches:

• Millwall 3-1 Preston (September 2024)
• Millwall 1-1 Preston (January 2024)
• Preston 1-1 Millwall (October 2023)
• Millwall 2-0 Preston (April 2023)
• Preston 2-4 Millwall (November 2022).

Predicted Lineups

Preston North End (3-4-1-2)

• Goalkeeper: Frederick Woodman
• Defenders: Ryan Porteous, Lewis Gibson, Andrew Hughes
• Midfielders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ryan Ledson, Brad Potts, Jayden Meghoma
• Forwards: Emil Riis Jakobsen, Milutin Osmajic.

Millwall (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Lukas Jensen
• Defenders: Tristan Crama, Japhet Tanganga, Jake Cooper, Joe Bryan
• Midfielders: Casper De Norre, Billy Mitchell
• Forwards: Aaron Connolly, Luke Cundle, Femi Azeez
• Striker: Duncan Watmore.

Betting Tips and Odds

Match Prediction

Given Preston’s strong home form and Millwall’s struggles on the road, this match is likely to be a closely contested affair. However, Preston’s defensive solidity and home advantage give them a slight edge.

• Prediction: Preston North End 1-1 Millwall.

Betting Tips

1. Match Result – Draw: With both teams evenly matched, a draw seems the most likely outcome. Odds: 19/10 (Sky Bet).
2. Under 2.5 Goals: Five of the last seven meetings between these sides have seen fewer than three goals. Odds: 1/2 (Betfred).
3. Both Teams to Score – No: Preston’s improved defense and Millwall’s struggles to score away from home make this a viable option. Odds: 1.69 (Melbet).
4. Milutin Osmajic to Score: The Preston forward has been in good form and could be a key player in this fixture. Odds: 11/4 (Sky Bet).

Key Stats and Facts

• Preston are unbeaten in their last 11 home games across all competitions.
• Millwall have won three of their last five away games at Deepdale.
• Both teams have drawn more than a third of their league matches this season.

How to Watch

• UK: Sky Sports Football
• US: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
• India: FanCode.

Conclusion

The Preston North End vs. Millwall clash promises to be a thrilling encounter with significant implications for both teams’ seasons. While Preston’s home form gives them a slight advantage, Millwall’s historical dominance in this fixture cannot be ignored. For bettors, a draw or under 2.5 goals seem like the safest options.

Whether you’re a fan or a bettor, this match is one you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting night of Championship football!

Note: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.