FA Cup: Burnley to Host Dangerous Millwall | OneFootball

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 10 @ 10:00am ET/3:00pm GMT. Streaming on ESPN+

The Third Round of the FA Cup kicks off this weekend, with the elite clubs of the English leagues entering the competition for the first time this season.

Premier League Burnley take on Championship side Millwall on Saturday. Each team hopes to stay alive in one of the most prestigious tournaments in world soccer. There’s the added possibility of a top flight side crashing out. The two sides faced off twice last season in the Championship, with each team claiming three points in their respective home games.

With the match at Turf Moor, could this tip the scales in Burnley’s favor?

Burnley’s Form

Burnley’s efforts this season leave much to be desired. They currently sit 19th in the Premier League, eight points from safety, with relegation looming.

Manager Scott Parker has proven his mettle in escaping the furiously competitive Championship on multiple occasions, but he has often lacked the consistency required to remain at the top..

Cup runs are another matter. Does he rest and protect key players against lower-league opposition, or go all out against a side pushing for Premier League promotion?

Parker’s team is bolstered by players returning from AFCON, along with the return from injury of centre-back Maxime Estève. Parker’s hope is Estève can provide much-needed solidity in the back line. Burnley currently boasts the second-worst goals conceded record in the Premier League, with 41.

Jaidon Anthony will be crucial to Burnley’s success this weekend. The Englishman sits alone as the club’s top scorer with five goals, adding to his tally with a spectacular strike to equalise against Manchester United in their most recent league fixture in midweek.

Millwall’s Form

Millwall have been consistent this season and are firmly on track to secure a play-off spot at the end of the campaign. They will hope to build on an entertaining last-minute win against Swansea last Sunday, which extended their unbeaten run to four games.

However, Millwall’s away form does present some concern for supporters. They have won only four of their 12 away matches, compared to eight wins from 14 at The Den.

With no midweek fixture, player fitness should be less of a concern. However, with a lengthy injury list, manager Alex Neil has indicated that changes are likely ahead of the trip to Lancashire. Of particular concern for the London side is the potential absence of Mihailo Ivanovic, who scored in Millwall’s most recent win against Swansea. He has picked up a knock and remains a doubt for the weekend.

Millwall will look to top scorer Femi Azeez, who has six goals this season, to take them over the line. Despite suffering a hamstring injury in November, Azeez has scored 0.5 goals per 90 minutes and remains Millwall’s most dangerous attacking threat.

Takeaway

At the most gruelling point of the English football season, this tie promises to be a battle in the bitter January cold. Both managers must balance longevity for their respective league ambitions with the firepower required to mount a run in the coveted FA Cup. Home and away form paint a similar picture for both clubs, and Burnley will hope to capitalize on their home advantage to see off an in-form Championship side with aspirations of promotion.