Image source, Getty Images

The start of a new year, but two teams enjoying a season of contrasting fortunes.

2021 was a big leap forward for QPR and Mark Warburton, moving from 19th at the turn of last year to seventh now, with lots of optimism amongst supporters for a real play-off push in the second half of the season.

Injury time winners in their last two away games, at Derby and Bristol City on Thursday night, certainly help and a draw or win this afternoon would put them back in the top six.

As for Birmingham, they have had their last two games postponed because of Covid, but they were hammered 4-0 at Blackburn in their last match on 18 December.

Every new year begins with the same wish for Blues fans, namely one of avoiding their seemingly customary battle to avoid relegation. As things stand, they are six points clear of the bottom three but have won only one of their last seven.

Image source, Getty Images

It did not need a rocket scientist to work out what West Bromwich Albion needed in the January transfer window to reboot their automatic promotion chances - a striker.

With just 30 goals in 24 games, they have scored at least 11 fewer than the three teams above them.

That has already been rectified with the arrival of USA international Daryl Dike from Orlando City. Of course, Dike scored nine times on loan at Barnsley during the second half of last season, working under Valerien Ismael, so both player and manager know each other well.

But Dike is not available today, so the Baggies need someone else to deliver the goals against a Cardiff side looking over their shoulders towards the bottom three.

Right, half-time.

Let's tee up our 2pm kick-offs, for those of you on GMT that is.

Image source, PA Media

Good response from Millwall who deservedly lead after going a goal down to Andi Weimann's early effort.

Goals from Tom Bradshaw and Benik Afobe enough to put them in front, and boos ring out at the break from the home support.

Bristol City get a throw from the left which is hoyed into the box by Zak Vyner like a world's strongest man contestant launching a tyre.

Antoine Semenyo flicks it on, it's cleared to the edge of the box and Ayman Benarous swipes his volley over.

Millwall attack on the back of that, and get a corner which draws boos from the home support.

George Saville stands his corner up in the middle of the box, but the towering Shaun Hutchinson just powers his header into Max O'Leary's midriff. Another chance.

Once again, a sloppy pass in midfield undoes Bristol City's approach play and Millwall snap into attacking life.

Murray Wallace races forward, slips it to Sheyi Ojo who breezes into the box, but Tomas Kalas steps across like a nightclub bouncer to shepherd the ball out and block his progess.

"Not tonight, mate."

Millwall get a free-kick on the edge of the Bristol City box after Sheyi Ojo was tumbled on by Bristol City's defensive cover.

Ojo is taking it... just a whisker away as he curled it near post. That said, Max O'Leary was well postioned.

Ambitious effort by Murray Wallace from the left side of the box on his right foot, which flies harmlessly over the top and wide.

Millwall though are finding the space more frequently than Bristol City, who felt they should have had a free-kick before when Matty James seemed to be clipped in full-flight down the left.

Muted atmosphere, home fans less than inspired by the story of this encounter.

Better from the home side. Antoine Semenyo tracks down an overhit Zak Vyner cross to the back post and dinks a ball into space for the supporting Cameron Pring, but Millwall hook it clear.

There's a nervy moment as the long ball forward isn't sufficiently cleared but the City defence mops up in the end.

Rain is tumbling down at Ashton Gate, a very soggy new year affair.

Bristol City are just pushing the ball around in midfield without much probing and incision.

Millwall look comfortable with the Robins just playing in front of them.

Bristol City made a superb start to this game but have been on the backfoot since Millwall got a grip of themselves.

The visitors are snapping into attacking life with lots of support when the chance presents itself.

City need someone to wrestle a bit of control back themselves in midfield.

Sheyi Ojo opens Bristol City up with a through-ball to Benik Afobe, and he's hauled down in the box.

Penalty.

I was just typing that Bristol City might be ahead but Millwall were the side showing the most adventure when Tom Bradshaw guided that ball into the net.

They've started to win a bit of supremacy in midfield with Billy Mitchell and George Saville in particular nudging them about smartly.

Benik Afobe manages to work the ball into the onrushing George Saville, but the Millwall man shoots when he had supporting options and the move comes to an end.

Bristol City win a free-kick and attack swiftly on the break. Tomas Kalas bends a perfect pass for Antoine Semenyo to get in behind, but from the right edge of the area, his low shot is fielded well by Bartosz Bialkowski.

Millwall's Billy Mitchell gets a shot away but it sizzles over the top from the edge of the box.

Good hold-up play from Benik Afobe within the move, to keep possession and bring his midfield into play.

From their perspective, you'd like to see George Saville come into play a bit more.

It's been a bit like pinball in midfield, and getting the ball down and finding space has been difficult.

Image source, Getty Images

Both sides look a bit sluggish. Andi Weimann was found in space down the right but overran the ball behind with a heavy touch.

Nothing like the peach of a finish he unfurled for the goal, put it that way.

Bristol City are finding their way between the lines, with Ayman Benarous almost slipping in Antoine Semenyo but his slide-rule pass was blocked.

Millwall set Benik Afobe away with a clever half-volleyed pass forward but the striker can't get away from the Bristol City defence and his heavy touch prods the ball through to Max O'Leary.

They've looked a bit jittery in possession at times but that was better from the visitors.