Millwall Match Stats Preview

Last updated : 09 March 2007 By Footymad Previewer
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History of the Millwall v Carlisle United fixture

The Blues travel to South London this weekend having come away with little in their previous meetings in Bermondsey, having been beaten a depressing 13 out of 19 times.

The last time the two teams met at Millwall was back in November 1997 when the two sides shared the spoils courtesy of a 1-1 draw in a Division Two (third tier) match. The Lions took the lead as early as the second minute through Brian Law only for United to rescue a point with just five minutes left thanks to an equaliser from Matt Jansen in front of 6,959 spectators. That 1997-98 season eventually seeing the Cumbrians relegated back into the Football League basement after spending just one season at a higher level.

Millwall's biggest margin of victory over the Blues has twice come courtesy of a 3-0 scoreline, the first victory taking place in 1961-62 in Division Four (attendance - 11,421) and the second happening in 1980-81 in the old Division Three (attendance - 3,168).

United's two victories at the Den in 19 attempts have both coincided with promotion campaigns. The first being in 1973-74 when the Blues won 2-1 thanks to a goal from Bill Green and a Millwall own goal (attendance - 8,907), the Cumbrians eventually finishing third in Division Two as they were promoted to the top tier for the first, and only time, in their history.

The second win happened in the 1981-82 Division Three campaign, a season that would see the Blues finish runners-up to champions Burnley on goal difference after both sides had finished level at the top on 80 points each. United once more won 2-1 that December Saturday courtesy of a brace from Paul Bannon in front of a crowd of 4,740 spectators.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2006/2007Sat 07 OctCarlisle1 - 2MillwallLGE1
1997/1998Tue 03 MarCarlisle1 - 0MillwallLGE1
1997/1998Sat 08 NovMillwall1 - 1CarlisleLGE1
1985/1986Sat 07 DecCarlisle1 - 0MillwallCHMP
1985/1986Tue 22 OctMillwall3 - 1CarlisleCHMP
1981/1982Sat 17 AprCarlisle2 - 1MillwallLGE1
1981/1982Sat 05 DecMillwall1 - 2CarlisleLGE1

Recent respective form guides

Millwall are showing reasonable home form lately, having won four games and lost two from the last six played. A bumper total of fourteen goals have been scored by the the Lions in those games, with a sizeable eight conceded, although five of those did come in a surprising 5-2 hammering at home to lowly Leyton Orient.

The Cumbrians have had a decent run of form away from home recently compared to their early season form, United notching up three victories and just one loss from their last six matches played on the road. The Blues have a narrow positive goal difference over these games with eight goals for and six against.

Millwall's 48 points from 35 games sees them lie inside the top half of the table, in 12th position, although their recent run of excellent form has seen them become more interested in a late surge for the play-offs rather than worrying about the relegation spots.

Carlisle's 52 points from 36 games sees them lie inside the top half of the table, in tenth position, the Blues currently four points away from the final play-off place in a season that it is looking increasingly like one of consolidation.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

Current home/away form guides:PWDLFAP
Millwall650110715
Carlisle6231679

FootyMad's prediction ...

The match against Millwall is likely to be a very close encounter, but one that the Madmen see going the way of the home team. Home win

Sequence statistics:
MillwallNine games since last home draw.
Not drawn a match in their last seventeen games.
CarlisleFive matches since last defeat.
Undefeated in last four away games.