Who holds the upper hand when the Lions of South London face off against the Lilywhites from Lancashire? The head-to-head record between Millwall and Preston North End tells a compelling story of dominance by the London side. With 24 matches played since 2003, Millwall has established a clear advantage in this Championship fixture, winning 11 matches compared to Preston’s 5, with 8 draws completing the record. This rivalry has consistently produced entertaining football with plenty of goals, though often at Preston’s expense..
Historical head-to-head record
The history between these two sides makes for interesting reading, particularly if you’re a Millwall supporter. The Lions have outscored Preston by a significant margin in their encounters, netting 33 goals against Preston’s 22 across their 24 meetings. This goal difference of 11 highlights the attacking edge Millwall has typically enjoyed when facing North End. The pattern of Millwall dominance has been particularly evident in recent seasons, with the Lions often finding ways to overcome their northern opponents regardless of form elsewhere in the league.
The Den in London and Deepdale in Preston have witnessed numerous battles between these sides, with home advantage playing its part but not preventing Millwall from securing important away victories. The competitive nature of the Championship means that every point matters, and Millwall has certainly made their matches against Preston count toward their league ambitions over the years.
Recent form and performances
Looking at rece nt history, Millwall’s dominance becomes even more apparent. The Lions have won all five of their most recent matches, scoring at a rate of 1.4 goals per game while conceding 1.6. Preston’s form has been considerably more mixed, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five outings. Their goal scoring rate of 1.2 per match is slightly lower than Millwall’s, while they’ve been more vulnerable defensively, conceding an average of 2.0 goals per game.
The most recent encounters between these teams further illustrate the pattern. A 1-1 draw on February 18, 2025, represents one of the few occasions where Preston managed to take something from the fixture. Prior to that, Millwall secured a convincing 3-1 victiory on September 28, 2024, and an equally impressive 2-0 win on April 15, 2023. These results demonstrate Millwall’s consistent ability to outperform Preston when they meet.
Current league standings
The 2024-2025 Championship season has seen these two clubs experience contrasting fortunes. Millwall currently sits in 8th position, on the fringes of the playoff places and potentially eyeing promotion to the Premier League. Their relatively comfortable mid-upper table position reflects a solid campaign where they’ve been able to put together consistent performances against various opponents.
Preston North End, meanwhile, finds themselves in a more precarious 20th position, dangerously close to the relegation zone. This significant gap of 12 places in the table underscores the different trajectories these clubs are on. Preston’s struggles this season align with their difficulties when facing Millwall, suggesting fundamental issues that extend beyond just this particular fixture.
What to expect in future encounters
When these teams next meet, history suggests Millwall will enter as favorites. Their superior head-to-head record, better recent form, and higher league position all point toward continued success against Preston. The Lions’ ability to find the net more frequently than their northern counterparts gives them an offensive edge that Preston has struggled to counter.
For Preston to change this narrative, they’ll need to address their defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded an average of 2.0 goals in recent matches. Deepdale might offer them their best chance of securing a result, though even home advantage hasn’t consistently helped them overcome Millwall’s superiority in this fixture. The psychological edge that comes from Millwall’s run of positive results against Preston cannot be underestimated and may continue to influence future encounters between these Championship sides.