Championship4 hours ago2 minute read

Millwall and West Ham ready to renew historic London rivalry at The Den

One of English football's most intense rivalries returns this weekend as Millwall host West Ham at The Den for their 100th meeting.

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A bitter history returns

Millwall and West Ham United will face each other this Saturday for the first time in 14 years. The Den will host the 100th meeting between these two London clubs. It is a fixture with a long history of tension.

The last time they played was in 2012 at Upton Park. That day, authorities banned alcohol in the stadium and nearby pubs. They also reduced the away fan capacity and told players to keep their goal celebrations quiet.

These strict measures followed a violent League Cup match in 2009. That night saw 13 arrests, three pitch invasions and one stabbing. West Ham won the match 3-1 but received a £115,000 fine from the FA.

Roots of the clash

The rivalry started over a century ago. Millwall Athletic was formed in 1885 by factory workers on the Isle of Dogs. Thames Ironworks was set up in 1895 for workers down the river, later becoming West Ham in 1900. The two clubs were born just three miles apart, and their supporters had competing business interests.

Their first competitive match was in the FA Cup in 1899, which Millwall won 2-1. Tensions grew during the 1926 General Strike, when some dockworkers allegedly refused to strike.

Violence peaked between 1970 and 1990. Even though they only played four times in those two decades, the clashes were severe. In 1976, a Millwall fan died during a fight at New Cross Station. Two years later, a match at Upton Park resulted in 70 arrests.

A modern matchup

Both clubs have changed since their last meeting. West Ham have moved to the London Stadium and won a European trophy. Millwall have stabilised in the Championship, earning a record 83 points last season.

West Ham currently sit at the top of the table, while Millwall are in 11th place. The police have put a Section 35 dispersal order in place for the weekend to help prevent any trouble.

Millwall boss Alex Neil knows how much this game matters. He said there is no point in trying to talk the game down, adding that there is going to be a lot of tension and passion.

What it means for the next game

Millwall vs West Ham United (Championship, Sat, 19 Sep): Millwall win 42%, draw 25%, West Ham United win 33%; expected goals 1.61 to 1.41. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.