Match Preview: Bournemouth stand in Millwall’s way as they hope to climb into the play-off places

AFC Bournemouth will be looking to end their season on a high as they host Millwall at the Vitality Stadium.

Best in the league! The Vitality Stadium's pitch was named as Pitch of the Season earlier this week

On Tuesday, the Cherries secured promotion to the Premier League after beating Nottingham Forrest 1-0 thanks to clever free kick that was converted by Kieffer Moore in the 83rd minute.

Manager Scott Parker was seemingly pleased at achieving automatic promotion instead of having to go through the play offs, something he did with Fulham two years ago.

“It gives us an extra time to prepare and look at what we’re going to do for the summer. I’m glad it’s over, some say the best way to go up is via the play-offs in a big game at Wembley, but it definitely isn’t! You need to try and get it done when we got it done so I’m glad we did that.”

He went onto explain how he always had confidence in his side’s chances to get promoted, saying: “I always felt we were more than good enough to get out of this division. I also understood, because of my experiences in this division, that it was going to be tough. There is no easy way out of it, and it was always going to be a tough league with a lot of bumps along the way and how we reacted to those moments was going to be pivotal to that.

“We’ve proven over the course of this season; we are worthy of being promoted. Like I said, there has been a few bumps but whenever this team has had to be called upon, whenever they’ve had to go and get a result, whenever there has been doubts, this team has produced. Even when during those moments where Forrest was coming on strong, when it was all said and done and we needed to get a result, we got one.”

Bournemouth fans invaded the pitch after their win over Nottingham Forrest confirmed their promotion to the Premier League | Credit: James McCafferey

Whilst this fixture has very little importance for Bournemouth’s season, Millwall’s hopes of playing against the best clubs in the country rides on this game.

The Lions are currently in 8th place but are only three points behind Luton, who currently occupy the last play-off place.

Despite this game not affecting where Bournemouth finish this season, Parker was insistent that it was still important.

“We owe it to the rest of the teams around the play-off places to make it competitive.

“We’ve lost the least amount of games in this division, as of today, and we want to keep that; we’ve got the most clean sheets as well. There are loads of things that we want to aim for and keep continuing.

“We’re up against a very competitive side; Gary’s done a very good job at Millwall. The way that the table is at this present time, who knows what could happen on the final day. We’re going to have to be right at it even after midweek and our celebrations.”

Bournemouth will be without Jefferson Lerma, who has been a rock in the heart of the Cherries' midfield this season, after injuring his hamstring.

At 12.30, Scott Parker’s red and black army will be looking to extend their seven-game unbeaten run and continue their jubilant promotion celebrations.