Jake Cooper has helped the Lions keep the most clean sheets in the Championship [15] (Image: PA)
IVAN AZON v JAKE COOPER
Azon started in the stalemate at The Den on Boxing Day, hardly laying a glove on Millwall’s towering defenders. He bounced off them, with only one or two moments where his agility allowed him to sneak past them and into the box.
Could that impact his chances of starting on Saturday? Possibly. George Hirst will be better suited to the physical battle, although his showing against former club Sheffield Wednesday did little to convince fans that he should lead the line against Millwall.
Azon scored in that game at Hillsborough and has shown a clear improvement since the reverse fixture against the Lions. I think he’ll get the nod to lead the line, which will be a tough task.
Centre-back Cooper is 6’4. His partner, Tristan Crama is the same height, although he could shift to right-back if 6’2 Caleb Taylor is fit enough to start. Their aerial threat is clear, and Ipswich will need to be wary from set pieces, but they’re also rock-solid at the back.
Millwall have kept the most clean sheets in the division (15) and their defensive giants are at the heart of that. Whoever starts up front will have a tough task.
Jacob Greaves impressed in the Blues’ 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday (Image: Ross Halls)
JACOB GREAVES v JOSH COBURN
There’s a slightly different battle going the other way. With Cedric Kipre serving the second game of his two-match suspension, Greaves will continue to partner Dara O’Shea at the back.
To me, O’Shea – as good as he is in tough, physical battles – is more of a technical, pacey defender. I think Greaves will be tasked with the fight against Coburn.
The 23-year-old has notched five goals in 19 appearances for Millwall this season, nailing down a spot in their starting XI ahead of Mihailo Ivanovic. It’s less about his goal threat and more about the way he helps the team – he’s a 6’4 target man who loves to get stuck in.
Greaves needs to be up for this tussle. One or two Championship strikers have got the better of him at times that he’s switched off, and Millwall will likely capitalise if there are any slips. We need to see the same man who starred against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
Cutting Coburn off could limit the space that the Lions’ other attackers have to work with.
Barry Bannan moved to The Den in the January transfer window (Image: PA)
AZOR MATUSIWA v BARRY BANNAN
Millwall are without ex-Blue Massimo Luongo [ACL] and fellow midfielder Casper de Norre [groin] for this game, but their available options have done well in their absence.
Boyhood Lion Billy Mitchell is kicking on in the way many hoped he would when he first arrived on the scene, operating as a strong, defensive midfielder. His partner in recent games has been Championship veteran Bannan, who made the move to South London in January.
I’m picking out the 36-year-old here. He likes to dictate play in midfield, boasting a superb passing range that can cut the opposing defence open in a split second. He’s short, has a low centre of gravity and moves like a player who’s 10 years younger. His experience is crucial in a Millwall midfield that arguably lacks it.
Limiting Bannan’s time on the ball will be important, as he’s often the link between defence and attack. Given that Ipswich will likely dominate possession, it’s important that they don’t allow the Scot to play an integral part on transitions and counterattacks.
Matusiwa needs to stay close to him. The Dutchman can play without the shackles of knowing that a 10th yellow card will see him suspended, having passed the cut-off point.
Winning the midfield battle will be really important in this game and the 27-year-old will have a big part to play in doing so. He kept Bannan totally quiet when they last clashed in December’s game between Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday.
Former West Ham man Ben Johnson is set to start the game at left-back (Image: Ross Halls)
BEN JOHNSON v FEMI AZEEZ
This, for me, is the key battle of the game.
Leif Davis is serving the second game of his three-match ban. With Kipre also suspended, forcing Greaves into centre-back, there’s no natural cover at left-back. It will have to be Johnson again.
The 26-year-old did well against Sheffield Wednesday, providing an assist for Azon’s opener. Given that he’s a natural right-back, he deserves real praise for being able to step into the role on the other side of the defence.
But this will be a different task for him, facing one of the top players in the division in Azeez, with some juicy narrative surrounding it.
Firstly, Johnson is an ex-West Ham player. He came through their academy and helped them win the UEFA Europa Conference League before joining the Blues on a free transfer. Will Millwall fans have that in their minds? Most likely, so expect him to be the target of a fair few chants.
Secondly, Azeez was a January target for Ipswich. A bid was made on deadline day, which would have made him the Lions’ record sale, but it was turned down. He now faces the team who wanted him on their side for this match.
Azeez, who was suspended for the reverse fixture, has been Millwall’s talisman, with eight goals and seven assists in 27 games this season. Keeping him quiet will be a tough task, especially for a back-up right-back playing at left-back.
A successful afternoon for Johnson could go far in helping Ipswich win the match.