Midweek Championship Tips: Rejuvenated Hornets to sting the Lions

Millwall's winless run at the Den to continue on Tuesday

Millwall 2.47/5 v Watford 3.39/4; The Draw 3.4549/20
Tuesday, 17:30

Watford put in arguably their best performance of the season on Saturday evening as they edged past Championship leaders Norwich at Vicarage Road. The Hornets were operating under new manager Xisco Munoz for the first time and the Spaniard was delighted to get off to a winning start.

Troy Deeney told the club's streaming service 'Hive Live' that Munoz's arrival had given all of the players a significant boost, and spoke candidly about how the former Dinamo Tblisi boss had allowed them to remain with their families throughout the festive period. He later added that he deals with the players on a human level, and already has a decent understanding of how to motivate the various personalities within the squad.

Munoz was extremely vocal throughout the 90 minutes and could be heard offering encouragement from the sidelines. With his predecessor Vladimir Ivic described as a strict disciplinarian, who had a largely hands-off approach, it appears as though the new man has already made an extremely favourable impression.

Watford's shoddy away form was the main reason for Ivic's dismissal and, although the visitors have become hard to trust on their travels, the improvement in morale may just help them over the line on Tuesday evening. Defensively, they've been superb this season, conceding an average of just 0.71 goals per game. The excellent Ben Wilmot was partnered by newcomer Francisco Sierralta at the weekend, and the pair produced a superb backs-to-wall job throughout the final 20 minutes of the game.

At the other end of the field, they've failed to score in three of their last four away games, however, they've shown more than enough going forward at Vicarage Road to suggest that they can begin to improve their output on the road. The aforementioned Deeney was left out against Huddersfield, with the striker admitting that their 2-0 defeat at the John Smith's Stadium was their worst performance of the season. With the towering striker likely to feature here, they should be a constant threat to the Millwall back-line.

Although the Lions sit comfortably mid-table, they've won just one of their last 12 Championship matches. Gary Rowett's men have become far better on the road in recent months, with four of their five victories having been secured outside of Bermondsey. Although they don't lose many, their games are decided on extremely fine margins, although their failure to beat struggling trio QPR, Derby and Nottingham Forest at this venue doesn't bode well for this match-up.

The hosts are in desperate need of a striker and, although Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has shown some signs of life in recent weeks, their lack of potency in the final third is worrying. The Troy Parrott experiment didn't work, and Rowett must find a solution to their goalscoring troubles in January.

Watford are likely to be highly motivated for this clash, and following their superb display at the weekend, they should be able to collect three points here. It's not been a happy hunting ground for Millwall this season, and the visiting Hornets should be able to collect a rare away win. They can be backed at 2.588/5 on the Exchange.

Entertaining South Yorkshire derby in prospect

Rotherham 2.47/5 v Barnsley 3.39/4; The Draw 3.4549/20
Tuesday, 19:45

Barnsley's superb form continued on Boxing Day as an unlikely double from defender Michal Helik secured all three points against Huddersfield. Valerien Ismael's side have a never-say-die attitude, and many fans have praised the increased level of commitment and hunger from the players since the Frenchman arrived at Oakwell.

Since his appointment on October 23rd, the Tykes have won eight of their last 13 matches, with five of those victories ending 2-1. Although they haven't been able to keep a clean sheet since the beginning of November, they have still managed to find a way to win games, and despite falling behind on Saturday, they never let their heads drop at any point, and finally got their reward in the 94th minute.

Although the Pole will undoubtedly get the plaudits for his well-taken brace, his defensive partner Mads Anderson put in another colossal performance, and his displays have significantly improved over the last couple of months. The return of the excellent Callum Styles added some much-needed class in midfield, whilst Callum Brittain was also quietly impressive.

The manager admitted that he was delighted with his side's determination, and acknowledged that his team's ability to score goals from all areas of the pitch has undoubtedly helped their cause. With very little investment in the playing squad in recent years, the former Crystal Palace centre-back will be desperately hoping that he is given the budget to strengthen in January. A potent striker is likely to high on the wishlist for 2021.

They have a 3-0-3 record on the road since Ismael took over, and their away games have been fairly entertaining. They've managed to keep just one clean sheet on the road this season, although they've also netted seven times in their last five away outings.

Rotherham haven't played since December 16th, and their squad should be extremely fresh ahead of this south Yorkshire derby. Paul Warne's side kept just their second home clean sheet of the season against Bristol City earlier in the month, and they will be keen to bounce back from a last-gasp defeat to Blackburn two weeks ago.

The Millers are much harder to beat on their own patch, and boast a 3-2-4 record at this venue. Matthew Olosunde and Matt Crooks have looked sharp in recent weeks, whilst the likes of Michael Smith and Dan Berlaser have also shown flashes of quality.

The hosts have netted 2+ goals in four of their last six home matches, and given the extra time they've had to prepare for this tie, they should be able to get on the scoresheet here again. Only lowly Sheffield Wednesday and inconsistent Bristol City have failed to find the net at this venue so far this season, and they are unlikely to keep a confident and in-form Barnsley at bay for an entire 90 minutes.

Over 2.5 Goals is available at 2.0621/20 on the Exchange and with Barnsley's ability in front of goal, coupled with Rotherham's propensity to find the net on their patch, this could be a hugely entertaining Tuesday night duel.

Preston and Coventry to share the spoils at Deepdale

Preston 2.47/5 v Coventry 3.39/4; The Draw 3.4549/20
Tuesday, 19:45

Preston continue to be a bit of an enigma this season with Alex Neil's side veering between superb and inept on an almost weekly basis. However, they appear to be finally showing some signs of consistency and they come into this fixture off the back of successive 1-0 victories.

Despite being marginally the better side at the weekend, they were unable to find a way past a dogged and well-organised Derby at Pride Park. However, as the game reached its concluding stages, the Lilywhites finally struck through Alan Browne to condemn Rams boss Wayne Rooney to his first defeat in the dugout.

Admittedly, PNE were assisted by Martyn Waghorn's early dismissal, having outshot their opponents 9-5, and they just about deserved to take all three points.

Despite their early seasons struggles at Deepdale, the hosts have now kept back-to-back clean sheets on their own patch, as well as three in their last five. They will be full of confidence coming into this tie, and should be hard to beat. Neil admitted that it was a 'mixed' afternoon for his side but there are plenty of positives to take into Tuesday night's game.

Coventry are slowly climbing the Championship table, with Mark Robins' side having become incredibly tough to beat in recent weeks. The Sky Blues picked up yet another point at the weekend, as they held in-form Stoke to a stalemate at St Andrews. They've averaged just 0.91 goals per game this season, and although Matt Godden has recently returned to the XI, the loss of Tyler Walker is a blow. Despite their problems in front of goal, their defensive record throughout November and December has been superb.

Although they haven't been quite as resolute on the road, they've conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four away games, and aren't likely to offer their opponents many opportunities to strike. Since November 20, Robins' side have suffered just a single defeat, a 1-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday and should put up plenty of resistance in Lancashire.

The hosts are clear favourites to collect three points in this one but the value may lie in backing the draw at 3.4549/20 on the Exchange. Neither side is giving much away, and this midweek meeting could easily end all-square.

You can follow Jack Critchley on Twitter @jcritch7