We look ahead to Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash between Gillingham and Walsall at MEMS Priestfield Stadium
GILLINGHAM V WALSALLSky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday September 20
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor will definitely be without striker Danny Kedwell who had surgery on a knee injury earlier in the week. The forward will be missing for three weeks, which may mean Luke Norris keeps his place in attack.
Gavin Hoyte could return at right back after serving his three match ban for the red card he suffered during the 1-0 win over Stevenage in the JPT at the Lamex Stadium.
Stuart Nelson remains out but otherwise the Manager has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Walsall boss Dean Smith will assess Adam Chambers (hamstring) and Tom Bradshaw (fatigue) after they missed the 4-0 defeat at Rochdale on Tuesday.
Sam Mantom is still out with a knee problem but is closing in on fitness while Ben Purkiss and Jordan Cook (ankle) remain out.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor was delighted with the effort his players showed following the 2-1 win over Peterborough on Tuesday, and has re-iterated that if the boys play to their potential they will be tough to beat.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon he said: “We are playing another good footballing team, we’ve had them looked at and it will be a difficult match again but if we believe we can play the way I know we can and stop them playing we will be difficult opponents too. “
Dean Smith said: “Gillingham had a great result during the week and I watched them at Coventry recently, so we know that they are a good side who have started the season well.
“We won't fear going there though, and I will be looking for a reaction from my players. They have said the right things and now it is time to get out there and put it into practice.”
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met in April of this year when the Gills virtually guaranteed league safety following a 1-1 draw at Banks’s Stadium. Cody McDonald netted a late equalizer to cancel out the opener from Febian Brandy.
In the reverse game at Priestfield McDonald scored twice in a 2-2 draw, the second of which an equalizer deep in stoppage time with the visitors looking certain to clinch all three points.
In total the teams have met on 106 occasions - Gillingham have the edge in the head to head statistics having won 45 of those games. Walsall have won 41 matches while the other 20 have been drawn.
Betting:
For a full Sky Bet betting preview click here.
You can get a number of odds across a variety of different markets by logging onto www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee – James Adcock
Assistants – Adrian Sannerude and Eddie Smart
Fourth Official – Gavin Muge