The Den has already claimed two top-flight scalps in The Emirates FA Cup this season, and Millwall boss Neil Harris is sniffing the opportunity for a hat-trick when they host Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday.
After knocking out both Bournemouth and Watford, the Lions have hit form just at the right time. Claudio Ranieri’s men may welcome a break from the league, though, with relegation a real possibility.
Millwall are now unbeaten since 17 December and have not conceded a goal in five games. Leicester, on the other hand, have knocked out both Everton and Derby in The Emirates FA Cup but have not scored a goal in the past six league matches.
And Harris, while wary of Leicester’s quality, is relishing taking them on at a sold-out Den.
He said: “I don’t think Leicester will particularly be looking forward to coming here on Saturday.
“If Leicester come here and perform to the best of their ability, whatever XI Claudio puts out, it’s going to be a difficult afternoon for us.
“But we want to be competitive, we want the players to embrace the occasion as the atmosphere is going to be electric within the stadium.
“We’ve got to play to the best of our ability, hope that Leicester don’t, and then we’ve got the opportunity for a giant-killing.
Harris has been determined to not let the prospect of this game derail his side’s league form and claims it was easy to keep his squad focused.
He added: “No-one has mentioned Leicester or spoken about anything to with the FA Cup in the build-up.
“There’s some senior players who will already be focusing on Chesterfield next Tuesday as the biggest game of the season.
“But, with the run that we’re on, the game is certainly something that we can look forward to now.
“Beating Premier League opposition has given us confidence, no doubt about that. The players will enjoy the game, whatever the outcome.”
FA Cup history
Neil Harris led the line for Millwall in 2004 when they were defeated 3-0 by Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
They also reached the semi-final in 2013 but were beaten by Wigan Athletic 2-0.
Leicester City will be hoping it’s fifth time lucky this season as they have been FA Cup runners-up four times – 1948-49, 1960-61, 1962-63 and 1968-69.
They have reached the quarter-finals three times in the last 16 years but have failed to reach the last four since 1981-82, when they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur.
Did you know?
Millwall’s nickname of ‘the Lions’ came about after the local press labelled Millwall the ‘Lions of the South’ when they knocked then Football League champions Aston Villa out of the FA Cup in 1899-1900.
Previously Millwall had been known as the Dockers as that was the occupation of many of the club’s supporters at the time.
One to watch
The Den faithful will be hoping that winger Aiden O’Brien can continue his goalscoring form on Saturday.
The former Republic of Ireland U21 international scored his 12th goal in all competitions against Port Vale on Tuesday and Neil Harris has been impressed with the 23 year-old’s attitude as well as skill.
Harris said: “Aiden’s a goalscorer with a tremendous work ethic. He’s such a clever player, playing between the lines, and he’s a big threat for us from a wide area.
“He was a goal threat all night (against Port Vale) and it was a very composed finish.”
The prize
The winner of this clash will receive £180,000 from the FA prize fund as well as reaching the last eight of The Emirates FA Cup, where a place in a Wembley semi-final will be up for grabs.
