Back to league matters at the Bescot as Gills look to record a third straight win.
WALSALL V GILLINGHAM
Banks’s Stadium
Sky Bet League 1
Saturday August 18
Kick-off, 3pm
Team News:
Elliott List (shoulder) and Josh Rees (ankle) are recovering well but this game has come too soon for them both. Alex Lacey and Callum Reilly are available for selection but Conor Wilkinson remains a doubt.
Dean Parrett (hamstring) will be out of action for at least another ten days.
As for Walsall, manager Dean Keates admitted he has selection headaches with a number of players impressing midweek in the Carabao Cup. Andy Cook and Morgan Ferrier are likely to start up front though.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell – “They’ve had a decent start, and they’ll be full of confidence so we’ve got to go there prepared, ready for a battle and as long as we play the way we have done the first three games then I’m sure we’ll get something out of the game.”
Dean Keates - “We’ve watched their last few games and it’ll be a massive, massive test for us.
“They’ve made a perfect start [in the league] and were unlucky the other night down at Millwall.
“They commit bodies forward and you can see how they’ve won games."
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met on February 17 2018 at The Medway Priestfield Stadium, when Gills had to settle for a point in a 0-0 draw against The Saddlers. The reverse fixture that season resulted in Steve Lovell’s men winning 1-0 thanks to a first-half effort from Conor Wilkinson.
Max Ehmer was sent off midway through the second period but Gills hung on for all three points.
In total the sides have met on 114 occasions. Gillingham edge the statistics with 47 wins to 43.
Odds:
Walsall win – 13/10
Draw – 9/4
Gills win – 21/10
Special Bet: Brandon Hanlan to score first and Gills win 2-1 – 55/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72
iFollow:
Overseas subscribers can watch the game live by subscribing to iFollow. Domestic fans can listen to full match commentary, courtesy of BBC Radio Kent.
All subscription packages can be found here
Officials:
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistants: Stephen Wade and Alix Pashley
Fourth Official: Rob Smith
SAT NAV: WS1 4SA