We look ahead to this weekend’s skyBET League 1 fixture against Bristol City
Gillingham v Bristol CityMEMS Priestfield Stadium
skyBET League One
Saturday 31 August
Kick-Off: 3pm
Team News:
Amine Linganzi didn’t train with the Gills on Thursday due to a sore throat and is still to have his tight hamstring reassessed. New addition to the Gills first team Danny Hollands will be named in the 18 man squad as he completed his three month loan spell on Thursday.
Joe Bryan and Derek Williams are both doubtful for Bristol after the pair suffered hamstring strains in the midweek Capital One Cup giant-killing of Crystal Palace. Louis Carey could return to action after completing 67 minutes for the development side.
Manager’s Comments:
Martin Allen spoke about Bristol City in his weekly press conference stating that “even with the five changes made in the Capital One Cup tie the team played well. We created a few chances, and it took a bit of magic from one of their players, against the run of play, to score the opening goal. We can play better than that and we will.”
Sean O’Driscoll commented mid-week that his Capital One Cup win over Gillingham doesn’t mean the teams know how to play each other, he added ”Martin’s tactics will be Martin’s tactics and he’s been extremely successful in employing them. It will be difficult because it’s a tight little ground and they will put pressure on us.”
Start to the Season:
Gillingham are unbeaten in successive games, thanks to an 85th minute goal from Cody McDonald against Swindon at the County Ground last Saturday which secured a 2-2 draw. Bristol are just one place above the Gills in the skyBET League One table having drawn two of their opening four games against Bradford and MK Dons.
Bristol City are having more luck in the Capital One Cup competition, having beaten us in early August, Bristol recorded a 2-1 win over Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Scott Wagstaff with the two second half goals to set up a third round clash with Southampton.
Previous Meetings:
Our last meeting in the league was back in 2006/07 when the Gills beat Bristol 1-0 with a goal in the 55 minute from Dean McDonald. Namesake Cody MacDonald is 6-1 first/last goalscorer and 7/4 anytime goalscorer.
The two clubs have met previously in all competitions 60 times, Gills winning 21 of these encounters, Bristol winning 25 while the other 14 meetings ended in draws.
For all our skyBET odds click here
Officials:
Referee - Mick Russell
Assistant Referee 1 - John Magill
Assistant Referee 2 - Adrian Sannerude
Fourth Official - Barry Holderness