LONDON, England – As Millwall captain Jake Cooper‘s powerful header went past Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford on Sunday, November 3, it marked a rare win for the Lions against the Clarets. This victory was the only one against Burnley in their last 32 league matches. Now, they face the daunting task of repeating this feat at Turf Moor on the final day of the season, with hopes of clinching a play-off spot. On the flip side, Scott Parker‘s Burnley team is aiming for a remarkable 100 points to possibly secure the title.
“We go into the game with confidence but not underestimating the task in front of us,” said Millwall head coach Alex Neil during a radio interview. “Burnley is definitely the hardest place statistically to go in the league; they have only conceded seven goals at home all season.” Neil added, “When we’re up against it, we thrive a bit more.”
Millwall’s remarkable rise has largely gone unnoticed this season. Neil Harris was the manager when they defeated Burnley last November, but significant changes followed, including a recruitment drive that brought in eight new players during the January transfer window. Millwall’s journey since then has been steady, ending April 13 just six points adrift from the play-offs.
Notably, Millwall achieved five wins out of six matches last month, tying their points at 66 with Coventry City, falling just one point short of fifth-placed Bristol City. Neil reflected on their achievements: “I think it would probably be one of the stories of the season if Millwall make the play-offs, given everything we’ve contended with as a club this year.”
In stark contrast, Burnley has flourished under Parker’s leadership, booking a swift return to the Premier League this season. They have been a formidable force at Turf Moor, conceding only seven goals at home while breaking records with an impressive 30 clean sheets from 45 matches. They are poised to finish the season unbeaten at home.
“Burnley are clearly a formidable side, and pundits will likely mark this fixture as a home win,” said Nick Hart from the Achtung! Millwall podcast. “But for Millwall, being the underdog is the perfect scenario.”
Millwall must win their final game and hope for favourable outcomes in other matches, particularly as they are already at a disadvantage concerning goal difference. Alex Neil remarked, “Our task is really straightforward – we need to win; I don’t want to complicate it any more than that.”
Moreover, should Millwall claim a coveted spot at Wembley, Hart commented, “If we were to make it to Wembley, this would rank as one of our greatest achievements, especially because of the lengthy injury list that’s plagued us this season.”
As the excitement builds, Burnley fans are gearing up for a celebratory open-top bus parade on Tuesday to commemorate the team’s return to the Premier League following a successful season. With a historic match ahead, both teams will bring their best as they vie for their respective season-ending goals.
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