We bring you the team news, manager comments and latest odds as the Gills prepare for the visit of Colchester
GILLINGHAM V COLCHESTERSky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday March 21
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Josh Pritchard and Joe Martin (hamstrings) are the only two injury concerns for Manager Justin Edinburgh ahead of Saturday’s visit of Colchester.
Amari’I Bell, who signed on loan from Birmingham on Friday morning, is likely to deputise at left back.
As for Colchester, trio Sammie Szmodics, Rhys Healey and Tom Lapslie are all looking to recover from respective injuries to play a part at Priestfield.
Szmodics (concussion) missed the midweek win against Yeovil while on-loan Cardiff striker Healey sustained a shin injury on Tuesday and teenager Lapslie has missed the last five games due to an ankle problem.
Jacob Murphy, on loan from Norwich, is likely to keep his place after impressing in recent matches.
Manager Comments:
Justin Edinburgh – “You can’t dwell on defeats because you are always to get it throughout the season.
“We positively move forwards, we know where we went wrong on the night (against Chesterfield).
“Colchester are fighting for their lives and buoyed by a good result in midweek.”
Tony Humes (after Tuesday’s win against Yeovil) - "Great credit to the players and I thought the crowd was fantastic.
"They gave us a lift to keep going all night and kept supporting the boys.
"We have to make sure they keep with us and it helps the players massively."
Previous Meetings:
The two clubs have already met twice this season, once in the JPT and the other in the reverse league fixture. Both of which were at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and Gillingham were victorious in both.
In the JPT Stuart Nelson scored the winning penalty in the shootout with the scores locked at 3-3 after normal time.
And in the league Gillingham took all three points back to Priestfield after a 2-1 win. Goals courtesy of Joe Martin and Bradley Dack.
In total the two clubs have met on 79 occasions – there is little to choose between the sides with 27 wins apiece with the other 25 being a draw.
Betting:
Gillingham are the favourites going into the game with odds of 11/8. Colchester are 19/10 to gain maximum points while the draw is 23/10.
Special Bet: Doug Loft to score first in a 3-0 home win – 160/1.
For more odds across a variety of markets click the box below.
Officials:
Referee - Darren Sheldrake
Assistant Referee 1 - Michael George
Assistant Referee 2 - Dean Treleaven
Fourth Official - Darren Blunden