Millwall and West Ham meet at The Den on Saturday in first competitive derby since 2012

Millwall and West Ham United will play at The Den on Saturday at 12:30 BST in a competitive fixture for the first time since February 2012, with the match marking the 100th competitive meeting between the clubs.

The rivalry, played out between neighbours separated by only a few miles, has been left to memories, stories and archive footage since that last competitive meeting. Managers and players have changed on both sides and generations of supporters have inherited the fixture; for some younger fans it will be their first derby experience. Millwall supporter George Cole, who was only 10 when the sides last met in 2012, told BBC Radio London: "I was very young at the time so in my prime years I've not been able to experience this fixture." He added: "It's important, from a Millwall point of view, to play the game rather than the occasion. There's a certain level of passion which is needed and will go into the game, but composure is also important."

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo said the occasion is well understood within his squad and insisted the match will be decided on the pitch. He said: "All of us have experienced matches like this, they are so special for the clubs." He added: "I've been involved in many rivalries in my career, many of our players also - and we know everything is inside of the pitch. Inside of the pitch is where things happen, what dictates the games. It's not the noise, it's not the 40,000 or the 20,000, it's inside the pitch. Of course, it's a special game and we're aware."

West Ham go into the derby top of the Championship after recovering from a poor start to the season with a run of positive league results; their most recent Championship outing was a 6-0 win over Wrexham. The club were beaten 3-2 by Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek, and the manager has stressed the role of experienced players in helping younger squad members manage the occasion.

Millwall face a contrasting short-term challenge, with 14 players currently unavailable and a run of four consecutive midweek fixtures stretching the squad. Their most recent match saw them lead 2-0 at Middlesbrough before being pegged back to a 2-2 draw, and Neil said his players were "running on empty" after that game. He also commented on the derby's motivation, saying: "If you need motivation for this game, you shouldn't be playing football."

As a Championship fixture, the Saturday meeting will contribute to the league table with West Ham currently top of the division. West Ham will try to carry their recent league form into the unique atmosphere at The Den while Millwall must manage a heavily depleted squad for the 100th competitive meeting between the clubs.