Millwall v Newcastle: Match Preview, Team News, Prediction

Newcastle take on Millwall at The Den tonight in an 8pm KO in the the 3rd round of the Carabou Cup in a competition that could give Jaissle his best chance of a trophy winning start to his time at the Toon.

Match Preview

Millwall hammered Bolton 4-0 in their last match and their five league games have produced two losses and three wins for a decent start to the new season.

That keeps them in the early runners for a promotion place after they finished third last season before losing to Hull City in the play-off semi-finals.

Millwall have scored in six out of seven fixtures so far this season and with Newcastle conceding two goals in three of our four games this doesn't point to a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout being a likely outcome,

The tone of the game and the result could well go down to the team that each manager selects with Millwall the far more likely to put out a near full strength side.

Team News

 I'm expecting Jaissle to make a raft of changes that could include Pope, Tino, Schar, Steur, Bamba, Ramsey, Toure, Murphy and a full debut for Pardo.

The good thing is that when you look at those options it still has the makings of a very decent side that could give any team a run for their money never mind one from the Championship.

The only new injury concern is young GK Jaouen whose ankle injury in training is notb thought to be serious but he is unlikely to feature tonight which may give Nick Pope a rare appearance under the new regime.

Millwall currently have seven players already ruled out injured for Tuesday night’s match against Newcastle, while Jenson Metcalfe is suspended following his straight red card in the 4-0 win against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. (Credit to Lochinvar for the heads up).

Prediction

Wor Matthias has to balance big changes to Saturday's team and giving players a chance against what is possibly his best chance of a trophy winning start to his time at SJP.

So, although I am expecting at least 5 or 6 changes to the team that started against Bournemouth I think the bench will be packed with big guns in case the battle swings Millwall's way.

If Pardo gets the nod to start all eyes will be on how he performs after he showed flashes of brilliance in his sub appearance - and if he starts I'm expecting him to score.

So, my usual fiver is going on a hard fought 2-1 win that see the Magpies fly on into the 4th round leaving the Lion's to chew on a defeat at the Den.

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