Nuno Espírito Santo has identified Millwall’s set-piece threat as one of the biggest problems West Ham United must solve at The Den.
The Hammers travel across London on Saturday looking for a fifth consecutive Championship victory.
Recent form makes West Ham favourites, but Nuno is not expecting a comfortable afternoon.
Millwall’s physicality and dead-ball threat have both been highlighted by the West Ham boss ahead of the 100th competitive meeting between the clubs.
Nuno warns West Ham about Millwall set-pieces
Speaking ahead of the derby, Nuno described Millwall as a “physical team” who are “very dominant at set-pieces”.
That warning is backed up by the numbers.
FotMob’s Championship data credits Millwall with three set-piece goals in the league this season from 3.2 expected goals.
Only six Championship clubs have scored more from dead-ball situations.
Jake Cooper remains an obvious aerial target, while Lyndon Dykes gives Alex Neil another physical presence around the penalty area.
Dykes has already scored four Championship goals this season and enters Saturday’s game as one of Millwall’s main attacking threats.
Nuno knows West Ham cannot allow the hosts to turn the derby into a succession of corners and free-kicks around the box.
The manager has stressed the importance of remaining switched on while still imposing West Ham’s own style on the contest.
West Ham have their own major set-piece weapon
The interesting part of Nuno’s warning is that West Ham are even more dangerous from set-pieces themselves.
FotMob has the Hammers on five Championship set-piece goals from 3.9 set-play expected goals.
Only Bristol City have scored more.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has been central to that success.
The Greece international has already scored three league goals this season, with his aerial ability becoming an important weapon for Nuno.
Arne Engels has also added another dimension through his delivery.
Read West Ham recently examined how Engels’ set-piece quality is creating another route to goal.
His service helped create Morato’s equaliser against Fulham on Tuesday, with Mavropanos heading the ball back across goal before the Brazilian finished.
That means Saturday could become a battle between two teams comfortable attacking dead balls.
Discipline could decide the Millwall derby
The danger for West Ham is giving Millwall too many opportunities to use that strength.
The Den will already provide a hostile environment.
Cheap fouls, needless corners or poor clearances would only invite more pressure.
Alex Neil has already warned West Ham about handling the atmosphere at The Den.
Nuno’s tactical warning adds another layer to that challenge.
West Ham need to remain aggressive enough to compete physically without becoming drawn into unnecessary battles.
That balance could prove decisive.
The Hammers have enough attacking quality to hurt Millwall in open play.
They also possess one of the strongest set-piece records in the Championship.
However, Nuno clearly recognises that giving Millwall repeated dead-ball opportunities would play directly into the hosts’ hands.
Saturday’s derby may be decided by whichever side handles those moments better.
