Having already sealed promotion, Burnley will attempt to pip Leeds United to the Championship title when they welcome Millwall to Turf Moor on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the seventh-placed visitors will be looking to sneak into the playoffs on the final day of the 2024-25 season.
Match preview
Burnley are three points away from hitting the 100-point mark after winning 27, drawing 16 and losing just two of their 45 league matches this season.
The Clarets secured an immediate return to the Premier League when they claimed a narrow 2-1 victory against third-placed Sheffield United earlier this month.
After they celebrated promotion, they returned to action with an emphatic 5-0 victory in last Saturday’s away clash against Queens Park Rangers, which came courtesy of braces from Zian Flemming and Jeremy Sarmiento following Josh Cullen‘s early opener.
That result represented a fourth consecutive victory and extended their unbeaten run to 32 matches (W21, D11), although they remain behind leaders Leeds United due to their inferior goal difference.
Leeds have a +13 goal difference advantage over the Clarets, meaning Scott Parker‘s charges will only win the title if they win and the leaders fail to pick up three points, or if they draw and Daniel Farke‘s side lose to Plymouth Argyle.
While the title is the priority, Burnley will also be motivated by the chance to go the whole Championship campaign without losing a home match, having won 13 and drawn nine of their 22 league matches at Turf Moor this season.
Millwall have made a late dash for a top-six finish, having won seven of their previous 10 league matches, including wins in five of their last six games.
They recently bounced back from a heavy 4-1 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers to record consecutive home victories over Norwich City and Swansea City.
Mihailo Ivanovic netted a brace in the 3-1 win over the Canaries, before George Saville scored the decisive goal in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory against the Swans, leaving the Lions in seventh place with just one game to play.
In fact, Alex Neil‘s side are just sitting behind sixth-placed Coventry City on goal difference and one point adrift of Bristol City in fifth position, although they are also joined in the race for the playoffs by Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.
Millwall will secure a top-six finish in the second tier for the first time since 2001-02 if they beat Burnley, and one of Coventry or Bristol City fail to win, while a draw will only be enough if the Robins lose with a five-goal swing in goal difference and Blackburn fail to pick up maximum points.
The Lions will know they will have to overcome an almighty challenge if they are to become the first away team to win at Turf Moor this season, but they can take confidence from the fact they were the last club to beat Burnley in a Championship when they recorded a narrow 1-0 victory in November’s home fixture.
Team News
The Clarets remain without the services of Jordan Beyer, Bashir Humphreys, Jonjo Shelvey, Mike Tresor, Enock Agyei and Manuel Benson.
Millwall loanee Flemming is ineligible to face his parent club, although he will join Burnley on a permanent deal this summer.
Forward Lyle Foster is the obvious replacement for Flemming, but he remains a doubt due to a shoulder problem, which could open the door for Ashley Barnes to make his first start since returning to the club in January.
As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Zak Lovelace, Murray Wallace, Danny McNamara, Camiel Neghli, Calum Scanlon and Duncan Watmore.
First-choice goalkeeper Lukas Jensen remains sidelined with an Achilles injury, while backup shot-stopper Liam Roberts is still a doubt following his recent injury absence, meaning 19-year-old George Evans could continue in goal.
The Lions also have to assess the fitness of defender Joe Bryan and attacker Ra’ees Bangura-Williams, who are struggling with groin and ankle injuries.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Brownhill, Cullen; Edwards, Hannibal, Anthony; Barnes
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Evans; Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Sturge; Saville, De Norre; Honeyman, Ivanovic, Azeez; Coburn
We say: Burnley 2-0 Millwall
Burnley have won seven of their previous eight matches at Turf Moor, and we think they will give themselves the best chance of beating Leeds to the Championship title by outclassing their opponents on Saturday, which would ultimately quash Millwall’s hopes of sneaking into the playoffs.
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