Southampton vs Millwall: A New Year Showdown in the Championship
As the sun rises on 2026, a thrilling clash awaits at St Mary’s where Southampton welcomes Millwall for what promises to be more than just a routine match—a potential turning point for both teams. The first action of the year could set the tone for the months to come in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Match Overview
Southampton vs Millwall
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary’s Stadium
Thursday, 1st January, 3pm GMT
Key Details to Note
The Officials
Referee: Tom Nield
Assistants: Simon Bennett, David Harrison
Fourth Official: Neil Hair
The Kits
The Saints will don their traditional red and white stripes, while Millwall will sport their royal blue and white at this crucial encounter.
Tickets
A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase, starting at £30 for adults and £20 for juniors. For those interested in grabbing a spot, Millwall tickets can be found here.
Live Coverage
Fans unable to attend can catch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Football, with coverage beginning at 2:50 pm GMT. Additionally, Saints Play match passes are offered for fans in certain overseas territories. Buy a Saints Play pass to enjoy the match from afar.
The Program
Fans can order the matchday program online or at various sellers around St Mary’s. This first edition of 2026 features a nostalgic cover by Saints fan James Willsher, along with an interview with the new head coach, Tonda Eckert, who shares his New Year message. Additionally, the program includes updates from the Women’s team and insights about their opponents.
What’s at Stake?
After a mixed festive run, the Saints are eager to kick off 2026 with a win, aiming for three crucial points against Millwall. With five consecutive unbeaten games at St Mary’s, Tonda Eckert hopes to rekindle the strong home form that saw Southampton scoring three goals against teams like Leicester and West Brom during the closing weeks of last year. Millwall, meanwhile, aims to capitalize on a recent victory over Bristol City to enhance their playoff aspirations.
Team News
Southampton
Fortunately for the Saints, there are no new injury concerns following their last game, allowing Eckert to choose from a stable lineup. However, they continue to miss Shea Charles, Ross Stewart, Mads Roerslev, Damion Downs, and Sam Edozie.
Millwall
The visitors are bolstered by the return of top scorer Femi Azeez, freshly off a three-game suspension. Coach Alex Neil’s squad remains similar, as several players are still sidelined, including Dan Kelly, Derek Mazou-Sacko, and Massimo Luongo.
Managers’ Insights
Tonda Eckert: “The challenges are clear, which is a positive. We need to improve our set-pieces and defensive strategies. Millwall is still an excellent team and we need to be prepared for their direct style of play.”
Alex Neil: “While we’re a bit threadbare at the moment, this offers us a chance to play an engaging, high-energy game—this suits us well for the time being.”
Ones to Watch
Elijah Jelert
The Dane returned impressively, assisting in his first appearance since October against Birmingham. His performance gives Eckert a promising option at wing-back with Tom Fellows still on the mend from injury.
Camiel Neghli
With injuries limiting Millwall’s offensive options, Neghli, who recently scored his first goal since September, provides a timely spark to their attack—and he seems to be hitting peak fitness just as the team faces Southampton.
Current Form
Southampton’s Last Five Matches
- Birmingham (a): D 1-1 (Archer)
- Oxford (a): L 1-2 (Harwood-Bellis)
- Coventry (h): D 1-1 (Wood)
- Norwich (a): L 1-2 (Manning)
- West Brom (h): W 3-2 (Azaz, Armstrong 2)
Millwall’s Last Five Matches
- Bristol City (h): W 2-1 (Neghli, Langstaff)
- Ipswich (h): D 0-0
- Blackburn (a): L 0-2
- Hull (h): L 1-3
- Derby (a): D (Clarke OG)
Head-to-Head
Both teams have met 110 times, with Southampton winning 52, Millwall 31, and 27 matches ending in a draw.
Conclusion of Insights
As they prepare for this New Year’s clash, Southampton is determined to reclaim their winning home form against a resurgent Millwall side. The stakes are high, and with the Championship race heating up, every point could make a significant difference in their season.
What’s your prediction for the outcome of this exciting matchup? Join the conversation in the comments below!
