The Den is set to ignite this Wednesday evening as Millwall hosts high-flying Coventry City in what promises to be a captivating Championship encounter. Kicking off at 18:45 on October 1, 2025, this clash carries an added layer of intrigue, given Millwall’s recent 2-1 EFL Cup victory over the Sky Blues at the very same venue just over a month ago. Can the Lions repeat their cup heroics and secure a crucial league win, or will Coventry City, currently sitting second in the Championship table, exact their revenge and solidify their impressive start to the season?
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, matches between Millwall and Coventry City have often been closely contested affairs. Across 30 previous encounters, Millwall holds a slight edge with 13 wins, while Coventry City has secured 12 victories, with 5 matches ending in a draw.
Recent Meetings (Last 5):
- **26 August 2025 (EFL Cup):** Millwall 2 – 1 Coventry City. A notable victory for the Lions, securing their passage in the cup.
- **29 December 2024 (Championship):** Coventry City 0 – 0 Millwall. A tight, goalless draw in the league.
- **07 December 2024 (Championship):** Millwall 0 – 1 Coventry City. Coventry secured an away win at The Den.
- **11 February 2024 (Championship):** Coventry City 2 – 1 Millwall. Coventry emerged victorious at home.
- **25 November 2023 (Championship):** Millwall 0 – 3 Coventry City. A dominant away performance by Coventry.
The recent EFL Cup upset by Millwall at home adds a significant psychological dimension to this Championship fixture, especially after Coventry’s previous commanding 3-0 league win at The Den in November 2023.
Current Form & Team News
Millwall
Alex Neil’s Millwall side has shown resilience in recent weeks. They come into this match unbeaten in their last two league outings, having secured a commendable 1-1 draw away at Swansea City on September 27 and a 1-0 home victory against Watford on September 22. Prior to that, they drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup before exiting on penalties on September 16. Their 2024-2025 Championship season record currently stands at 18 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses, placing them 8th in the league with 66 points.
Team News:
Millwall has been hampered by injuries this season, but there’s a glimmer of hope for this clash. Midfielder Luke Cundle is pushing for a return from a calf issue and could be included in the squad. Influential players like Will Smallbone, Macaulay Langstaff, Billy Mitchell, and top goalscorer Mihailo Ivanovic are all back in contention. However, several key players remain sidelined, including goalkeeper Lukas Jensen (Achilles tendon, though he has returned to training he is not expected to play for a few games), C. De Norre (muscle injury), A. Doughty (hamstring injury), Femi Azeez (muscle injury), and Benicio Baker (groin injury), all with expected return dates in mid-to-late October. Steven Benda is expected to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Key players to watch include Mihailo Ivanovic, Millwall’s leading goalscorer in the 2024-2025 season with 12 league goals, and Camiel Neghli, who recently scored a stunning free-kick winner against Watford.
Coventry City
Coventry City enters this fixture in scintillating form, sitting second in the Championship table after an impressive start to the 2025-2026 campaign. Frank Lampard’s side secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Birmingham City on September 27, a result that propelled them up the standings. Prior to this, they maintained an unbeaten start to the league season with two wins and four draws, scoring 15 goals in the process. Their only recent defeat came against Millwall in the EFL Cup last month.
Team News:
Coventry City will be without star midfielder Jack Rudoni, who is expected to be out for several weeks due to a calf injury. Winger Ephron Mason-Clark is also a doubt, having missed the last two games with a hamstring issue, though there is a possibility he could be ready for Millwall. On a more positive note, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Joel Latibeaudiere, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden have all returned to the squad, with Sakamoto starting against Birmingham City and Latibeaudiere and Kesler-Hayden featuring on the bench. Josh Eccles, who returned from injury recently, stepped into Rudoni’s attacking midfield role against Birmingham and performed well.
Haji Wright is Coventry’s leading goalscorer for the 2024-2025 season with 12 goals and will be a key attacking threat. Victor Torp and Brandon Thomas-Asante also found the net in their recent victory against Birmingham City.
Tactical Preview
Millwall, under Alex Neil, is known for being a tough side to beat at home. They have recently deployed a 4-4-1-1 formation, and also a 3-4-2-1, suggesting tactical flexibility. Expect them to be well-organised defensively, looking to nullify Coventry’s attacking prowess and exploit opportunities on the counter-attack or from set-pieces, an area where they’ve demonstrated effectiveness, as seen with Camiel Neghli’s recent free-kick.
Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard, is likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing a fluid, attacking style of play. Their strong away record, averaging 2.2 goals per game on the road, highlights their offensive capabilities. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Coventry’s trio of Matt Grimes, Victor Torp, and the in-form Josh Eccles (filling in for the injured Jack Rudoni) aiming to control possession and dictate the tempo against Millwall’s combative central players.
The Den, known for its intimidating atmosphere, will play a significant role. The pitch conditions are expected to be standard, and while it’s a midweek fixture, professional football teams are accustomed to managing travel fatigue. The passion from the home crowd could provide an extra boost for Millwall as they seek to claim another scalp against their higher-ranked opponents.
