FA Cup sixth round: Millwall v Blackburn match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's FA Cup clash at the Den

The Blackburn Rovers manager, Michael Appleton, celebrates their shock victory with goalscorer Colin Kazim-Richards (AP)

After their magnificent giant killing of Arsenal in the last round, Blackburn have failed to muster a single point since they won at the Emirates ahead of their quarter-final clash against Millwall.

Colin Kazim-Richards’ 72nd minute strike was enough to give the Lancashire outfit victory in the capital, but Michael Appleton’s side have been woeful in the league of late, much like their opponents Millwall.

With Blackburn losing four and drawing one of their past five games, the Lions have tasted defeat in three of their past four games, with an away win against Middlesbrough the only highlight. An embarrassing 5-1 home defeat at the hands of Peterborough three days after disposing of Luton in the previous round would have been a serious concern to manager Kenny Jackett.

Appleton now finds himself managing his third different side in this year’s competition. After leaving financially troubled Portsmouth to join Blackpool, the former Manchester United player was soon on the move again just 64 days later when Blackburn came calling.

Millwall have lost their last four home games against Championship opposition, and with Blackburn having the joint worse away win record in the league, someone’s luck has to change ahead of a potential Wembley date.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 2pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Blackburn 0 Millwall 2 (Wood, Henry), Npower Championship, November 2012

Millwall 0 Blackburn 1 (Cole), FA Cup, January 2002

Blackburn 2 Millwall 1, English Division 2, April 1992

STATS...

Blackburn’s hero from the last round, Colin Kazim-Richards, will be looking to score the opener again for the third consecutive game in this competition

Millwall boast an impressive goal record when at home in the FA Cup. The Lions have found the net in fourteen of their previous fifteen games

Blackburn have been victorious on both occasions that the two teams have met in this competition.

The home side have only managed to beat their opponents once in the past six games when Rovers have travelled to the Den. The away side have scored four wins during this time with the other ending as a draw.

THE FANS VIEW...

Millwall - Dave McKeller, 29-years-old, Millwall fan since the age of nine: " The team has done well so far, winning in the last minute against Villa at home and then beating Luton away from home. This game could make or break our players and season and therefore it is massively important. It will be a tough game as they are a big team, but if James Henry is fit, I think we can do it.

"Getting to the FA Cup final in 2004 was the best day of my life, so getting to Wembley for the semi final would be very special."

Blackburn Rovers - Mark Astley, 24-years-old, Blackburn Rovers fan since the age of four: "Beating Arsenal at the Emirates and getting this far in the FA Cup is fantastic for the club. 

"Things at the club seem to have improved under Appleton. We look solid at the back for the first time in a long while. As long as Rhodes is in form, I don't see why we can't move onto the semis. I've started making plans in my head for a trip to Wembley, so I must be at least a little bit optimistic - that, or unrealistic!"

ODDS...

Millwall: 2.5

Blackburn: 3.2

Draw: 3.45

TV: Live on ESPN at 2pm and highlights on ITV1 at 10.15pm