Bristol City vs Millwall prediction, betting tips and bet builder – Can Ballard bag in Bristol?

The brand new Championship season gets underway this weekend with Bristol City and Millwall going head to head at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.

Bristol City vs Millwall betting tips

• Draw and both teams to score at 7/2 with Tote
• Dom Ballard to score at 9/4 with Sky Bet
• Jake Cooper to receive a yellow card at 29/10 with Tote
• Draw and Ballard to score at 10/1 with Tote

Bristol City vs Millwall predicted lineups

Bristol City (4-2-3-1): Tickle (GK); Tanner, Dickie, Eissat, Pring; Knight, Randell; Wallace, Bird, Greenwood; Tolaj

Millwall (4-2-3-1): Jensen (GK); Leonard, Taylor, Cooper, Sturge; de Norre, Metcalfe; Azeez, Cundle, Neghli; Coburn

Bristol City vs Millwall head to head overview

Bristol City vs Millwall prediction

Two promotion hopefuls go head to head in the opening weekend of the new Championship season this weekend as Bristol City, who reached the play-offs in 2025, welcome Millwall, who achieved the same feat last season, at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City will head into Saturday afternoon’s bout as slight favourites with the benefit of home advantage and air of optimism around the club following a summer of change both on and off the pitch.

Following the departure of former England manager Roy Hodgson as caretaker manager at the end of last season, Michael Skubala, who won League One’s manager of the season after racking up over a century of points for Lincoln in the last campaign, was appointed as his successor.

Nine new players have also made their way through the door, including the likes of Dom Ballard, last year’s League One player of the season, former Leeds playmaker Sam Greenwood and Lorent Tolaj, another prolific striker, who are hoping to be the difference makers as Bristol City aim to reach the play-offs this season.

It was an inconsistent pre-season in terms of results for the West Country side, whose highlights included a 4-1 win over Newcastle, and another good win over Swindon, but draws against Newport, Plymouth and Exeter and a defeat against Stockport left a little to be desired.

There was also disappointment in the Robins’ Carabao Cup result as they were on the wrong end of a shock following a 1-0 defeat by League Two side Walsall, though the stats, specifically the 33 shots at goal, suggest the performance was an encouraging one.

Both teams taking the field at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon will be hoping to take advantage of the brand new expanded play-off system in the second tier, which sees six teams now compete in the post-season promotion battle, meaning a top eight finish is now required, rather than a strict top six policy.

Millwall upset the odds to finish last season in third place, the club’s highest league finish in 32 years, but fell in the play-offs at the semi final hurdle against the eventual promotion winners Hull.

Alex Neil has managed to keep hold of the key players of the majority of his squad, while also adding eight new faces to the side, most notable Belgian attacking midfielder Mathis Servais, striker Tairyk Arconte, and former Bristol City wideman Mark Sykes, who will be making an early return to his former home on Saturday.

Like their opponents, the Lions’ pre-season campaign wasn’t exactly convincing, beating Spanish second division side Eldense and Belgian side Royal Antwerp but drawing with Bromley and losing to Andorra, Gillingham and Stevenage.

The side from the capital did do what Bristol City couldn’t last week though, successfully booking their place in the second round of Carabao Cup with a penalty shoot out victory at the home of London rivals QPR following a 1-1 draw.

Both teams will be eager to make a fast start to the season as they each hunt an all important top eight finish, and their inconsistent pre-season results could point towards a 1-1 draw come Saturday.

Bristol City vs Millwall best bets

All square at the Gate

Both teams will be hoping to finish in the play-offs this season as they look to end long waits for a return to the top flight.

Two similarly matched teams will be looking to show off their new signings and look to make a fast start to the campaign which should be seen as their best chance to make the play-offs in a while, pressures which could see the teams cancel each other out for a share of the spoils.

• Draw and both teams to score at 7/2 with Tote

Ballard to bag

Last season’s League One player of the season, young player of the season and Golden Boot winner, who almost single handedly kept Leyton Orient in the third tier last season as they survived by just three points has made the step up a division to join Bristol City.

The 21-year-old bagged 23 goals in 40 appearances in League One during the last campaign and feels ready for the step up to the second tier this season, and will be looking to make an instant impact in his team’s first league game of the season.

• Dom Ballard to score at 9/4 with Sky Bet

Cooper carded

Millwall defender Jake Cooper received more yellow cards than any other player on either team last season, the only member of either squad to reach double figures for cautions.

With a fresh tally cards eliminating the threat of any suspension for yellow cards in the early weeks of the season, the centre back could be in for a busy afternoon.

• Jake Cooper to receive a yellow card at 29/10 with Tote

Bristol City vs Millwall latest odds

Find the latest Bristol City vs Millwall betting odds here, odds courtesy of Tote and are subject to change.

• Bristol City – 29/20
• Draw – 12/5
• Preston – 17/10

More EFL predictions

Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews for the start of the new season!

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