Millers face the ultimate test
Rotherham United welcome unbeaten Chelsea to the Rotherham Stadium on 5 January in a clash that could define their season.
"We know what we're up against, but we've got our own story to write," said one Rotherham regular this week, echoing the mood around the town as the Millers prepare for the visit of Chelsea.
You'd have to go back a long way to find a Rotherham United side in better shape going into a meeting with the champions. Third in the English Premier Division, 31 points from 18 games, a run of DWDWD that has kept them in touch with the top two. But now comes the acid test.
Chelsea arrive top of the pile, 52 points from 18 games, and still unbeaten in the league all season. Five wins on the spin. You don't need me to tell you what that means.
The last meeting between these two, back in August, ended 4-0 to Chelsea. That was a sore one for the Millers, though they did hold the Blues to a 2-2 draw at home in May. So there's hope, even if the bookies won't give you much for it.
Rotherham will be without Maxime Cazenave and Paulo Barzan, both key men. Chelsea have their own injury list, with Nacho Valera, Jairzinho and Ibrahim Ramadan all sidelined. It evens things up a bit, but only a bit.
The old boy stories are always worth a mention. Antonio López returns to Rotherham for the first time since leaving, with 50 games and seven goals for the Millers under his belt. He'll get a good reception, but only until kick-off. Tony Konneh, meanwhile, once wore Chelsea blue, and Norberto Pico had a spell at Rotherham earlier in his career. These connections add a bit of spice to an already tasty fixture.
And let's not forget the wider picture. Rotherham are in the Champions League and flying high. The win over Lyon earlier this month showed they can mix it with the big boys. But Chelsea are a different animal. The champions, the side that has won the league 41 years running. You can't argue with that.
So what do we make of it? A draw would be a fine result for the Millers, but this side doesn't play for draws. They'll have a go, and the Rotherham faithful will be right behind them. It promises to be a cracking afternoon.
One thing's for sure: the Rotherham Stadium will be rocking. And if the Millers can pull off a shock, the noise will be heard all the way to London.