Millwall boss Gary Rowett has told Crystal Palace fans they can expect a lively match at the Den in January when the two sides meet there in the FA Cup third round.
Palace were paired against the Lions during last night's draw, with their meeting in the New Year set to be their first match against each other since April 2013.
The Eagles have failed to get past the third round in three of the last four seasons, losing at the first hurdle to Brighton in 2017/18, Derby in 2019/20 and Wolves in 2020/21.
Millwall meanwhile have enjoyed two runs to the competition's quarter-final stage in the last five years, falling to Spurs in the 2016/17 season and then losing on penalties to Brighton in 2018/19 after conceding twice late on.
Rowett said that he was happy with drawing another Premier League side in this year's competition and that the atmosphere at the Den would be unlike anything they've felt for a while.
“When you’re a manager you’re looking for different types of ties," he told the South London Press.
"Often in the FA Cup, you’re looking for a tie against a lower league team where you think you can progress. Or you’re looking for a home tie against a Premier League club in which you’ve got the atmosphere of a big game and an opportunity to try and take a big scalp.
“It’s a good draw. Don’t get me wrong, Crystal Palace are a terrific side, a top side. They’ve been really improving under their new manager and they play in a slightly different way to how they did in the last few seasons under Roy Hodgson.
“It’s a big local game and the fans will be massively up for it. There won’t have been a game like this for a while, in terms of a cup atmosphere at home.
“What you don’t want is a team you play regularly. Everyone seems to groan when those type of ties come out – it’s like Groundhog Day . Anything away from that, especially a Premier League side which is local, would make it a really interesting game. It’s one where you know you’ll be up against it but you relish because it is at home.”
Millwall vs Crystal Palace will take place at the Den between January 7-10th 2022, with full details to be released in the coming weeks.
