As a result of a positive pre-season campaign, Liam Manning would have had high hopes for his Bristol City side making a strong start to another year in the Championship.
A 1-1 draw at Hull City could be perceived to be an excellent result, yet there was disappointment having conceded a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot.
Unlike the majority of second-tier teams, Bristol City were not presented with a tie against lower-league opposition in the EFL Cup, instead playing host to Coventry City.
The Sky Blues would ultimately come through with a 1-0 triumph at Ashton Gate, leaving Bristol City still searching for their first success of 2024-25.
On a positive note, the Robins did conclude the last campaign by collecting 13 points from their closing five fixtures on home territory.
Meanwhile, Millwall went into the new season with optimism that they could pick up where they left off at the start of May, Neil Harris posting his eighth win in 13 games.
However, it was Watford who would come out on top in a five-goal thriller last Saturday, defying a two-goal comeback from their hosts to score a late winner.
Harris has since witnessed his team respond to that disappointment with a 1-0 triumph away at fellow Championship side Portsmouth in the EFL Cup.
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Millwall have now prevailed by that scoreline in three successive away fixtures and their supporters will hope for another result of that nature on Saturday.
Although Sam Bell needed to be withdrawn during the first half against Coventry through injury, the winger is unlikely to have started this fixture.
Manning is expected to revert to a similar Bristol City XI from the Hull game, with Sinclair Armstrong potentially earning his spot in attack after Fally Mayulu failed to net in the EFL Cup
