Neither side has a confirmed coach or formation in the brief, so we're working off the usual Championship playbook. Bristol City under their recent managers have favoured a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 — high energy, pressing from the front, full-backs bombing on. Expect them to come out fast, trying to suffocate Millwall's build-up. The double pivot will sit deep, screening the back four, while the wide men look to isolate Millwall's full-backs in one-on-ones. That's where the game will be won — in the wide areas, with crosses and cutbacks into the box.

Millwall are the set-piece kings, the second-ball merchants. They'll likely set up in a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 low block, happy to let Bristol have the ball and then hit on the break. Their threat comes from long throws, corners, and knockdowns — chaos in the box. The midfield dogfight will be brutal. Millwall will try to slow the tempo, foul, niggle, and turn it into a scrap. But if Bristol City can keep their heads and move the ball quickly through the lines, they'll carve out chances. The key is not to get dragged into Millwall's ugly game. Play football, not fight night.