Sheffield Utd vs Millwall Prediction & Betting Tips (23 August)

Sheffield United welcome Millwall to Bramall Lane on August 23rd in a Championship clash that already carries weight for both clubs. The Blades, under new head coach Rubén Sellés, are still licking their wounds after a bruising 4-1 opening-day defeat to Bristol City and a limp EFL Cup exit to Birmingham. Sellés, who replaced Chris Wilder in June, has been vocal about the need for defensive reinforcements, with only two senior centre-backs available and midfield injuries piling up. Oliver Arblaster remains sidelined until mid-September, while new signings Djibril Soumare and Louie Barry are still finding their rhythm. Despite the turbulence, Gustavo Hamer and Tyrese Campbell offer attacking promise, and the team will be desperate to respond in front of their home crowd.

Millwall, meanwhile, arrive in South Yorkshire with momentum and quiet confidence. Alex Neil’s side have started the season brightly, dispatching Norwich 2-1 in their opener and edging Newport County in the EFL Cup. Their summer business has been shrewd, with Josh Coburn already repaying his £5 million fee with goals in preseason and competitive fixtures. The Lions have also added Max Crocombe, Massimo Luongo, and Alfie Doughty to bolster depth, while Steven Benda’s loan from Fulham adds stability between the posts. Neil’s tactical setup has emphasized compactness and quick transitions, and with Coburn and Mihailo Ivanovic leading the line, Millwall will fancy their chances of troubling a shaky Blades backline.

The tactical battle will likely hinge on midfield control and defensive discipline. Sellés has emphasized fixing Sheffield United’s vulnerability in transition, but Millwall’s pace and directness could expose lingering gaps. Soumare’s presence in midfield may help shield the defence, but the lack of experience in the back four remains a concern. For Millwall, the key will be maintaining their shape and exploiting set pieces, where Sheffield United have looked disorganized. Expect a high-tempo affair, with both sides eager to assert their credentials in a crowded promotion race.

Despite Millwall’s form, the home side’s urgency and attacking talent should tilt the balance. A 2-1 scoreline in favor of Sheffield United feels plausible—Campbell and Hamer to find the net, with Coburn grabbing a consolation for the visitors. It won’t be pretty, and Sellés may still have tactical wrinkles to iron out, but the Blades should have just enough to edge past a well-drilled Millwall side and kickstart their campaign.