Black Cats are facing a tough test in taming the Lions

MILLWALL has not been a happy hunting ground for Sunderland down the years - either at the old Den or their ‘New’ Den home.

And the Black Cats travel to south London on Saturday to face a Lions side very much in form.

Neil Harris’ side have lost just once in the Championship in 2018, and even that was way back on New Year’s Day when they lost 2-1 at Norwich City.

Since then they have won six and drawn four of their league games, and are unbeaten at home since the start of November. But if that paints a daunting picture for Chris Coleman and Co, there are some positive statistics to bear in mind.

Football is not played on paper, of course, but Millwall have not won four consecutive matches in the Championship since November 2012.

They got into Saturday’s game on the back of victories over Birmingham, Burton and Sheffield Wednesday, so could Sunderland be a step too far? Sunderland have lost nine of their last 10 away matches against Millwall (L7 D2), winning 2-1 in September 1995 under Mick McCarthy. However, the Black Cats haven’t visited the Den in a match in any competition since November 2004 – they lost 2-0 in the Championship.

But it’s Sunderland’s form which causes the most concern, as the Wearsiders have collected just five points in 2018, fewer than any other Championship side (P9 W1 D2 L6).

If they are looking to their manager for inspiration then they might want to ignore the fact that Coleman has collected just two victories in his last 23 league trips to London (D9 L12), though he did win his last game there in February 2010 (Crystal Palace 0-1 Coventry).

If Sunderland are to stop Millwall tomorrow then they could do worse than focusing on Steve Morison.

The Welsh forward, 34, has had a hand in seven goals in his last nine Championship outings for the Lions (three goals, four assists).