English FA CUP
2013-03-10 - Millwall vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup Sixth Round
Sunday 10 March 2013 - Kick Off 2pm
This game is live on TV
Millwall
It has been a little under ten years since Millwall made their way to the FA Cup Final where they were eventually beaten by Manchester United and they have the taste for more. With promotion unlikely this season, Millwall are hoping they can earn themselves a trip to Wembley and also ensure they are still playing in the Championship next season as goals for the coming two months.
Poor form in the League has seen Millwall drop down to 17th in the Championship after being in the mix for a Play Off spot just a couple of months ago. The FA Cup has proven to be a decent distraction and a financial boost to the club as they have taken care of Preston North End and Aston Villa here before beating Luton Town away from home in the last Round.
Millwall have lost 3 of their last 4 League games since the win over Luton Town in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and that includes home losses to Peterborough United and Wolves who are both relegation threatened clubs. In fact, Millwall have lost 4 of their last 5 home games with the exception being the Fourth Round FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
Blackburn Rovers
Another team that has lost much interest in being promoted this season is Blackburn Rovers, but they can at least give the fans some positive feelings after another rough season. The fans still have issues with the owners, but a day out at Wembley Stadium may just allow them to forget those problems for one day at least.
Blackburn appointed Michael Appleton as their third manager of the season, but they are still down in 16th place in the Championship and may just have begun looking nervously over their shoulders. However, they have beaten Bristol City and Derby County during their Cup run, although the most significant result was the 0-1 at Arsenal in the Fifth Round at the Emirates Stadium.
Since the win over Arsenal, things haven't been going right for Blackburn as they have failed to win any of their next 5 League games, being defeated in 4 of those games. Blackburn have lost 3 straight games away from home without scoring a goal and that has ended any real chances of earning promotion this season.
Head to Head
Blackburn Rovers were beaten 0-2 by Millwall at Ewood Park in their only meeting so far this season.
They last met at the New Den back in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup in 2002 in a game that ended 0-1 to Blackburn Rovers.
Millwall have lost 4 of their last 6 home games against Blackburn and have only won 1 of those games.
Prediction
Both of these teams have been struggling for League form, but that could be down to the fact that they can't earn promotion and have been looking ahead to this game. A chance to play at Wembley won't come along too often for these players so it is understandable that they may have been struggling to concentrate for League games.
Goals have been a real problem for both teams too, but Blackburn Rovers have the more proven scorers in their ranks and that may make the difference in the game.
Neither team will want to lose what could be the last big game they play this season with everything on the line and that may make for an uninspired game. However, I think Blackburn Rovers may just sneak the win and book their place in the Semi Finals.
The Pick :
Millwall 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
