Millwall v Blackburn: Goals forecast for final day shootout

• Only a win will guarentee Millwall a play-off place

• Blackburn now in 'must win' territory

• Goals traditionally hike on the final matchday

Rowett pleased with Millwall response

Millwall manager Gary Rowett was pleased to see the Lions show a clear improvement in performance levels during their 3-2 win against Blackpool last time out.

The capital club opened the scoring after only two minutes through Tom Bradshaw; Bradshaw bagged again after the interval, whilst Zian Flemming scored from the spot late on to seal the points.

Speaking post-match, Rowett said: "We changed formation to a 5-2-3, but an attacking version, just to change the players' mentality because our form hasn't been good enough.

I thought the players showed a lot of character and scored some very good goals. I thought we looked pretty composed it was a good effort which sets us up nicely now for Blackburn."

Millwall come into Monday's match with a fully fit squad bar the three long-term injury absentees - George Honeyman, Murray Wallace and Charlie Cresswell. Nevertheless, Rowett suggested the Lions' lengthy break from action - Millwall's last outing was 10 days ago - is far from ideal as he seeks to keep spirits high following the Blackpool triumph.

Blackburn rue missed opportunites

Hayden Carter scored his first goal for Blackburn to salvage a point against Luton in a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park last Monday and keep Rovers' faint Championship play-off hopes alive.

However, it could have been more with the hosts almost snatching maximum points when Sammie Szmodics volleyed against the crossbar late on.

Blackburn must now win at Millwall in their final game to have a chance of a top-six finish, but even that would not be enough if West Brom or Sunderland were to win due to their far superior goal difference.

And Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson cut a frustrated figure post-match as familiar recent failings continue to haunt his side in their play-off push.

Tomasson said, "Of course, it's disappointing and it's frustrating that we didn't get the win which we deserved.

We were in control first half, creating chances, scoring opportunities, but it's the same old story, a lack of goals. That's the only thing missing right now, because the lads are giving everything else, and we just need that little bit of luck to fall our way."

Rovers were again without a recognised senior striker in the squad against Luton with Sam Gallagher unavailable with a hamstring injury, although Tomasson isn't ruling him the forward out of Monday's match, insisting he may take a risk even if Gallagher isn't 100% fit.

Lions odds-on at The Den

Millwall have struggled in recent meetings with Blackburn. The Lions have tabled a solitary league success in 14 head-to-head match-ups over the past decade (W1-D5-L8), whilst the Bermondsey boys have also managed only one victory in eight when welcoming Rovers to South London since 1990 (W1-D3-L4). Blackburn were 2-1 winners in the reverse.

Millwall 1.9720/21 snapped a two-game losing streak last time out.

The Lions are clinging on to a top-six finish following a spell of four defeats in eight (W2-D2-L4), whilst Gary Rowett's outfit have also been turned over three times in their most recent six fixtures at The Den (W2-D1-L3). Still, the hosts have W8-D5-L1 when welcoming opponents inside the top-16.

Blackburn 4.30100/30 have slipped out of the Championship play-off places following an untimely lean spell (W1-D5-L4) since the start of March.

Rovers have tended to be at their best at Ewood Park with only three sides earning more home points than Jon Dahl Tomasson's team. However, the visitors have picked up top honours just six times on their travels.

Goals forecast for final day shootout

Neither Millwall nor Blackburn have been involved in consistently high-scoring Championship contests this season.

The duo have each recorded a creditable 15 clean sheets across their previous 45 league dates, as well as firing a collective 31 blanks through 70 second-tier showdowns, numbers that suggest opposing goals is the sensible route.

But with only a win guaranteeing Millwall's place in the top-six, and Blackburn knowing they must pick up top honours to stand any chance of securing a play-off berth, goals could well be on the agenda as the two teams battle to keep their seasons alive.

With that in mind, backing Over 2.5 Goals at 17/20 holds plenty of appeal.

Traditionally, the final round of a league campaign sees a high uptick in goal output. Since 2017/18, the Championship has delivered a chunky 2.92 goals per-game average through the month of May and a similar return would see our preferred play pay-out.