Millwall welcome Lincoln City to The Den on Saturday (12:30 BST) in a fixture that carries genuine historical curiosity alongside its Championship significance. The two clubs have not met in a league game since 1998-99, and the numbers surrounding this contest make for intriguing reading ahead of kick-off.

A rare second-tier meeting

This will be only the fifth time Millwall and Lincoln City have faced each other in the second tier of English football. To put that in context, the last time they shared the same division at this level was back in 1933. Their most recent encounter in any tier came in the third division in 1998-99, when both clubs won their home fixture 2-0 in the same season. Twenty-seven years on, the script will be very different for Lincoln as a Championship side making the trip to south-east London.

Lincoln's difficult record at The Den

History offers Lincoln fans little comfort when it comes to travelling to Millwall. The Imps have won just one of their eight league visits to The Den, a 2-0 victory in May 1984. The remaining seven have produced one draw and six defeats. More pressingly, Lincoln have lost their two most recent Football League trips to London without scoring, and they have not lost three successive away games in the capital since March 2008. They have also not lost three in a row whilst failing to find the net in each since March 1999. A blank on Saturday would extend both unwanted runs.

Millwall's struggles when behind

For the hosts, there is a notable vulnerability buried in the numbers. When Millwall have found themselves in losing positions in the Championship this season, a scenario that has occurred in roughly 19.5 per cent of their playing time, they have managed to score just one goal in response. That is the fewest of any side in the division. It suggests that while the Lions are competitive when the game is level or in their favour, they have found it particularly hard to turn a deficit around.

Lions dominant against promoted sides

However, there is a powerful counter-argument for Millwall's prospects on Saturday. Since the start of 2026, the Lions have won all four of their Championship matches against newly promoted opposition. Those four victories have come by a combined scoreline of 13-0, underlining a ruthless edge when facing clubs making their way back into the second tier for the first time.

Lincoln, who came up as promoted opposition this season, will be very aware of that record as they look to avoid becoming another statistic in a sequence that has been emphatic in its consistency.

What both sides need

Beyond the historical context, both clubs arrive at this fixture with points firmly on their minds. Millwall will want to build on their recent run with another home victory, while Lincoln know that a result at The Den would represent one of the more significant moments in their Championship campaign so far. The Imps' sole league win at this ground in over 40 years of attempts is the kind of stat that concentrates the mind of a visiting dressing room.

Saturday's early kick-off in south-east London promises a game with enough narrative on either side to make the numbers matter well beyond the 90 minutes.

Frequently asked

When did Millwall and Lincoln City last play each other?
Their most recent meeting was in the 1998-99 season in the third tier, with both clubs winning their home fixture 2-0. They have not faced each other in the Championship since 1933.
How many times have Lincoln City won at Millwall?
Lincoln have won just once in eight league visits to The Den, a 2-0 victory in May 1984. The other seven trips have produced one draw and six defeats.
How have Millwall performed against promoted sides recently?
Since the start of 2026, Millwall have won all four of their Championship matches against newly promoted opposition, winning those games by a combined score of 13-0.