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2025-09-16 - Crystal Palace vs Millwall
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League Cup Third Round
Tuesday 16th September 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Crystal Palace
Better finishing would have given Crystal Palace a deserved win over Sunderland on Saturday, but they could not make up for the departure of Eberechi Eze and the absence of Ismaila Sarr through injury. Oliver Glasner will still feel his squad had enough to win that game, but the attention turns to a domestic Cup competition for a few days at least.
After the success to win the FA Cup last season, Crystal Palace fans may be looking for more silverware in what is a notoriously open Cup competition. However, Oliver Glasner will know that his team also have Conference League commitments this season and that may influence the kind of team he selects, although Crystal Palace did reach the Quarter Final in the League Cup last season.
Crystal Palace have extended their unbeaten run after the draw with Sunderland this past weekend, but they have also now drawn 6 of the last 8 games played in all competitions. Both Premier League games played at Selhurst Park have ended with the points shared, while Crystal Palace 'only' beat Fredrikstad 1-0 here in the Conference League Play Off Round First Leg.
Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah are all hoping to be available at the end of the month, but will not take part on Tuesday. Rotation has to be expected to the first team with big games coming up.
Millwall
They have become a pretty consistent Championship club, but the challenge for Millwall is to push forward and try and move into the promotion challenge. Alex Neil has had solid spells as manager with Norwich City and Sunderland in the past, but he is also looking to rebuild his own reputation at Millwall after a poor showing with Stoke City.
It has been something of an inconsistent start to the season for Millwall in the always competitive environment of the Championship, but the late equaliser at Charlton Athletic this past weekend is a potential momentum builder. This is already the best run in the League Cup since the 2021/22 season, but Millwall have not been beyond the Third Round in thirty years.
Millwall had won 4 of the opening 5 games played in all competitions, but a home loss to Wrexham and the draw with Charlton Athletic has just slowed things down a little bit. The Lions will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 5 away matches in all competitions on Tuesday and they had won all 3 fixtures played on their travels before the draw at The Valley.
Alex Neil may choose to rotate his team a little bit, but will also be well aware of what this fixture means to the fans.
Head to Head
An early sending off changed the course of the FA Cup Fifth Round tie hosted by Crystal Palace against Millwall back in February.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts was rightly sent off for a poor challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta after just eight minutes and Crystal Palace were relatively comfortable 3-1 winners on their way to the FA Cup victory parade.
Crystal Palace had not won any of 5 home games against this South London rival before that Cup success seven months ago.
Prediction
The draw put together this South London derby and Millwall fans will be hoping their team can make amends for the FA Cup loss at Selhurst Park last season.
The early sending off gave Championship Millwall a mountain to climb, but there may be an opportunity for an upset on Tuesday.
For starters, Crystal Palace are not expected to start a team with the same qualities as the one that began that FA Cup Fifth Round tie.
The players coming in are still of a level to expect to win, but finding an early rhythm could be tough and that gives Millwall a chance here.
Alex Neil will know that the League is still the priority, but this is a match with South London bragging rights and the fans will be making the short journey to Selhurst Park expecting a strong Millwall team. They have been competitive in away games this season and Millwall can certainly make things tough for a Crystal Palace team that have been struggling for goals and who will be without Ismaila Sarr again.
Crystal Palace did create enough chances to beat Sunderland and should be able to get the better of Millwall, but a small interest in the visiting team avoiding a big loss has to be warranted.
The Pick :
Crystal Palace 1-0 Millwall
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Millwall + 1.5 Asian Handicap at 1.72 with Bet365
