Can Millwall stun Burnley again to end 32-game run?
Jake Cooper headed the winner in Millwall's 1-0 victory against Burnley in November
- Published
As Millwall captain Jake Cooper's towering header sailed beyond Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and into the net on Sunday, 3 November it provided one of the rarest of Championship sights this season.
A winning goal against the Clarets.
It has been a moment that has evaded every opponent in Burnley's 32 league matches since.
Exactly six months on, Millwall travel to Turf Moor on the final day of the season knowing if they can repeat that feat they have a chance of sealing a spot in the play-offs - while Scott Parker's side will be looking to reach 100 points and hope it is enough to claim the title.
"We go into the game with confidence but not underestimating the task in front of us," Millwall head coach Alex Neil told BBC Radio London.
"Burnley is definitely the hardest place statistically to go in the league, they've conceded seven goals at home all season.
"When we're up against it is when we thrive a bit more."
'It would be one of the stories of the season'
Alex Neil has led Millwall to within goal difference of the top six since taking over from Neil Harris in December
While Coventry City's rise from 18th to sixth in the league in the second half of the season has captured plenty of attention, Millwall's climb up the table has flown under the radar.
Neil Harris was still in charge when the Lions secured that 1-0 victory over Burnley in November.
Neil replaced Harris at the helm at the end of 2024, the Lions were on a run of one win in nine games and were likely to sell Romain Esse, one of their best players, in the January transfer window.
Esse joined Crystal Palace shortly after and Millwall went on a recruitment drive that saw eight new faces arrive at The Den before the end of the window.
Their progress from that point was solid if unspectacular under former Preston North End and Sunderland boss Neil and they entered April 13th in the table, six points off the play-offs.
But five wins in their six matches last month - including victories against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough - have pushed them up level with the Sky Blues on 66 points and only one point below fifth-placed Bristol City.
"I think it would probably be one of the stories of the season [if Millwall make the play-offs] in terms of everything we've contended with as a club this year," Neil said.
Scott Parker's Burnley side have already sealed promotion to the Premier League and are fighting for the Championship title
While Millwall's season's has had its ups and downs, Burnley have gone from strength to strength under Parker, sealing a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
His side have been formidable at Turf Moor, conceding just seven times in the league as they look to complete the season unbeaten at home.
They are on course to shatter the previous record for goals conceded in a Championship season and have already broken the clean sheet record with an incredible 30 shut-outs from 45 matches.
"Burnley are clearly a formidable side and travelling to Turf Moor, most pundits will have the fixture marked for a home win," Nick Hart of the Achtung! Millwall podcast told BBC Sport.
"But being the underdog is always Millwall's ideal scenario."
For Millwall to make a final-day dash into the top six they will need at least one other result to go their way.
Burnley's record-breaking season
45 matches - 27 wins, 16 draws, two defeats
Just 15 goals conceded - set to smash the current Championship record of 30 held jointly by Watford [2020-21] and Preston North End [2005-06]
A Championship record 30 clean sheets
Undefeated in a Championship record 32 matches
Head coach Scott Parker named Championship manager of the season
Liam Manning's Robins host Preston, who are one of several sides battling to avoid relegation, while Coventry face Middlesbrough, who still have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.
Neil, though, says his focus will be entirely on his team's game.
"Our task is really straightforward – we need to win, I don't want to complicate it any more than that," he added.
Due to Coventry's superior goal difference, Millwall will likely need to better the result of one of the sides above them.
"It's a big if, but if we were to make it to Wembley then this would have to go down in Millwall history as one of our greatest [achievements] - not least because of the extensive injury list that has bedevilled us this season," Hart added.
"If we do fall short, this will nevertheless be seen as a real season of development at the club. We have some very decent young talent and, with the return to fitness of some of our January signings, the 2025-26 season looks very promising."
How the Championship play-off race stands
There are five teams vying for two remaining play-off spots on the final day of the season