The Gills host Walsall in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday, October 18, 7.45pm kick-off
Sky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Tuesday, October 18
7.45pm kick-off
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistants: Andrew Laver and Colin Lyner
Fourth Official: Graham Kane
Justin Edinburgh’s team face Walsall on Tuesday evening in Sky Bet League One, looking to bounce back from Saturday’s late defeat to Bristol Rovers.
Tickets are still available for this evening’s match under the floodlights, and you can buy yours by clicking here.
TEAM NEWS
Gillingham manager Edinburgh is hopeful of Cody McDonald recovering from an eye injury picked up on Saturday, and Rory Donnelly is in contention after serving his two-match ban, bolstering the Gills’ attacking options for tonight’s match.
Edinburgh is aware of the run his team are on, but with players coming back from injury and the commitment showed against Bristol Rovers last time out, he believes his side can turn it around.
“The result [against Bristol Rovers] wasn’t the one we wanted, and they are not the results over the last period that we have become used to or what we have set in our targets,” said Edinburgh.
“I thought we shrunk [in confidence] a little last week [against Oldham], but I didn’t see that against Bristol Rovers. When you are in the position we are in, fight spirit and character is what you need in abundance and I believe we have that.”
THE OPPOSITION
The Saddlers sit 14th in League One, with one point more than Gillingham, having played a game fewer.
Jon Whitney’s side started the season slowly, but come into the match on the back of three straight victories against Millwall, Sheffield United (EFL Trophy) and Shrewsbury.
“We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing, but tighten up on set-pieces,” said Whitney.
“We know they are dangerous but we will concentrate on ourselves and what we do well. It’s a good pitch, it’ll be under the floodlights and we have got momentum with just one loss in seven.”
Whitney is hoping to start former Gills fan favourite Simeon Jackson for tonight’s game, after the striker missed the match against Shrewsbury with an injury picked up playing for Canada on international duty.
LAST TIME WE MET
Walsall travelled to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium back in April, with both teams battling for automatic promotion. Like tonight’s fixture, the match also took place under the floodlights.
The Gills dominated the opening half hour and were awarded a penalty following a handball. Luke Norris stepped up to take the spot-kick but his effort was saved.
The striker did score a consolation for the Gills in injury time, but goals from Milan Lalkovic and Jordy Hiwula settled the score and the Saddlers climbed up to third place in Sky Bet League One.
The teams have only met 110 times in total, with the Gills winning 45, drawing 22 and losing 43.
FANCY A FLUTTER?
Gills win – 5/4
Draw – 5/2
Walsall win–21/10
For all the latest match odds visit Sky Bet.
MATCH COVERAGE
GillsPlayer will have live match commentary from 7.35pm with Matt Cole and Peter Lloyd. To subscribe, click here.
The GillsWall will have interactive text commentary of the match, and the club’s social media channels will be bringing you live updates throughout the day.
TUESDAY'S SKY BET LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES
Bradford v Southend
Bury v Wimbledon
Chesterfield v Fleetwood
Coventry v Oxford Utd
Millwall v Bolton
MK Dons v Bristol Rovers
Oldham v Scunthorpe
Peterborough v Northampton
Port Vale v Charlton
Shrewsbury v Sheffield United
Swindon v Rochdale