KENNY Jackett has conceded Millwall’s two play-off dates with Huddersfield are unlikely to produce a scoreless draw.
The Lions and Terriers were among League One’s top scorers this season and The Den boss anticipates both sides will carry that form into their double header, the first leg of which takes place at the Galpharm on Saturday.
Jackett said: “There has been a win apiece for either side in the league this year, both at home.
“They were both very good games in terms of standard and the football played has been of a high quality, so I think it will be that way again.
“Huddersfield are a very strong attacking side who are capable of scoring goals when they do play well and are on their game.
“It will be a very good game of football because both teams are capable of putting on a show and scoring.”
He added: “How we negate their attack is perhaps going to be a key to the game but I would be surprised if it finishes 0-0.
“What I learned from the game there a couple of weeks ago is Huddersfield can rise to the big occasion and are a very strong side in terms of their attacking play.
“They have attacking options through their team and goal scorers on their bench.
“Last season we proved if we can play well ourselves and get our game together, then we are capable of beating anybody.
“We have got that type of belief in ourselves and it is all about us now making sure we play to our maximum by putting on very good performances in both legs.”
Millwall just missed out on automatic promotion by one point to Leeds United, although Jackett was keen to stress there was no hangover from his side going into the Terriers clashes.
He said: “I gave the players the weekend off and told them if there was any disappointment, they would have to get over it in those couple of days so by the time we’ve started training again everyone is looking forward.
“We finished third in the league with 85 points and ran Leeds very close at different times and were even ahead at one stage on Saturday, but there is no disappointment whatsoever from us.”
One benefit of finishing third is the Lions will play the second leg on Tuesday at The Den where they have only lost once all season.
And although cautiously welcoming the fact his side are at home for game two, Jackett pointed out its significance may have been exaggerated.
He explained: “If there is any advantage, perhaps it is a slight one and as a manager before the games you would always take the home leg second.
“However, that advantage is probably minimal because you have to play well on the day both at home and away.
“There was a high standard in League One this year and if you do want to go up then you have to beat some very good teams.
“It varies from a cup tie because they are one-off games whereas this is over two legs, so we have to keep things even right the way through and keep it open to make sure after 180 minutes we are the side who get to the final.”
Shaun Batt, Danny Schofield, Steve Morison and Alan Dunne will all face fitness tests this lunchtime before Jackett decides whether to include them in his squad for Saturday’s game.
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