Big favourites to win the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League last season, West Ham could have hardly got off to a worse start to life in the second tier.
Early alarm bells were ringing after a 2-2 draw with Burnley was followed up with a shocking 2-1 loss at home to Charlton. The Hammers were made to wait another week for their first Championship win, drawing 1-1 at Watford with pressure seemingly mounting on Nuno Espirito Santo.
Things have turned around substantially since then, however. West Ham have scored 16 goals in their last four games, beating Wolves 4-2, Derby 3-0, Bolton 3-2 and Wrexham 6-0.
Next up is one of the most mouth-watering fixtures on the Championship calendar as the Irons head south of the water to face bitter rivals Millwall.
It's the first meeting between the two sides since 2012 when West Ham won 2-1 thanks to goals from Carlton Cole and Winston Reid.
Interestingly, the away side has failed to win in the last 12 renewals; you have to go back to 1988 when Paul Ince scored the game's only goal as West Ham won 1-0 at The Den.
But now brimming with confidence, Espirito Santo's men will fancy their chances of a first away success in the fixture for nearly 30 years to post what will feel like a real statement of intent.
West Ham are odds-on at 1/4 for promotion after their poor start, and while it's still a long way off, fans might start eyeing up Reading's points record of 106. While the likes of Wolves, Leeds and Newcastle have all boasted some of the best teams in Championship history, the Royals' record has stood firm for 20 years, but it's 10/1 that West Ham clear the 106-point barrier.
bet365's Steve Freeth said: "The Hammers have found their shooting boots after a slow start to life in the Championship. Having netted 16 goals in their last four games, they will be oozing confidence ahead of their eagerly awaited trip to Millwall — a ground where they have not collected maximum points since Paul Ince scored the winner in 1988.
"Their turnaround in form has sparked talk of Nuno’s side breaking the 106-point barrier set by Reading during the 2005/06 campaign and we will know they mean business if they return from The Den with all three points."
