Millwall v West Brom - Match preview

It is to Corberan and the Baggies’ credit that they have held off all-comers in the fight for ‘best of the rest’ in the division since October and November. The top four have, for so long, been unassailable but where form of others has come and gone, Albion’s level of consistency has remained impressive.

That will be challenged now more than ever, beginning with an always-tricky visit to The Den tomorrow and another clash, at home to Watford, 72 hours later, but supporters have reason for optimism.

First of all, Albion can be confident in their own form. Corberan’s men lost just once in 10 games prior to the break and momentum was on their side. They didn’t grumble at the prospect of a break though, the squad tired in the relentless period between Christmas and March and the international fortnight allowed Matt Phillips to train in full and Josh Maja to make a return too. The former could play a part in the squad tomorrow, should Corberan get the green light.

The handful of fixtures ahead look, relatively speaking, pretty kind.

Millwall have turned a corner under the returning Neil Harris, though, and some of the most difficult fixtures at this stage of a season come on the road at clubs fighting tooth and nail for survival.

Watford, currently 13th, appear to have next-to-nothing to play for, the same can’t be said for hosts Stoke on Saturday week, who are currently just two points above the drop zone.

Then comes the visit of doomed Rotherham on a Wednesday night. The Millers’ relegation fate, albeit not mathematically, was confirmed some time ago.

Even facing Sunderland afterwards looked tricky some weeks ago, but the Black Cats are now firmly marooned in mid-table with Watford.

Albion require roughly three wins from their remaining eight games – four home and four away – to be certain of a play-off place.

If Corberan’s troops hit the ground running from tomorrow, it is feasible those wins could come in the next four or five games. Although nothing is ever a given, especially at this stage of the season.

Millwall will be a battle. Harris has his troops rallied and it has yielded important points. A sold-out away end is sure to add to a boisterous bank holiday atmosphere.

Nobody knows that better than visiting skipper Jed Wallace, veteran of 250-plus games in Lions colours. He said: “I’m glad to see they’ve a few results, probably bad news for us to be going there while they are fired up, but it’s a massive game, you’ve got to take the emotion out of it and it’s three points.

“We know how big the Easter weekend is, I think the table will look a lot different after those games for a lot of teams, so we need to make sure we are still where we are now.”