Get the team news, manager comments and odds as Gills prepare to welcome Blackburn to ME7.
GILLINGHAM V BLACKBURN ROVERS
MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
SKY BET LEAGUE ONE
SATURDAY MARCH 17
KICK OFF, 3PM
Team News:
Both Bradley Garmston and Connor Ogilvie have fully recovered from their sickness bugs and will be hoping to make it into the starting 11. Forwards Liam Nash and Rhys Murphy have been hit by the same illness and look set to miss the game.
Alex Lacey is closer to full match fitness following his ankle injury and will be hoping to make Saturday’s match day squad.
Blackburn will be without full-back Ryan Nyambe who is out for 4-6 weeks after going off with a hamstring issue against Blackpool. Peter Whittingham and Ben Gladwin will also miss the fixture as it comes too soon as they look to get fully match fit.
Forward Danny Graham will require a late fitness test ahead of the game after suffering a rib injury against Blackpool.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell - “They’re top of the league so it’s going to be a very tough game for us but one we’re looking forward to.
“As I said we tend to do better against the better sides so let’s hope that continues.”
More pre-match from Steve Lovell.
Tony Mowbray - “I sit here every week and tell you how difficult the next game is and Gillingham certainly falls into that category."
"We’ll have to be prepared to be robust and deal with what they throw at us. We know how they play and we have to be ready for it and look forward to it."
Previous Meetings:
Last time the sides met was earlier in the season as Blackburn ran out 1-0 winners. Dominic Samuel’s first half goal was enough to ensure all three points, although Gills were unlucky to not equalise late on as David Raya made a fantastic save to prevent Elliott List.
The last time the two sides met at Priestfield was in the 2008/09 League Cup where Blackburn won 3-1 to knock Gills out of the competition.
The sides have met 10 times in total with Gillingham only winning once in comparison to Rovers six victories. The other four fixtures have ended in draws.
Odds:
Gillingham win - 19/5
Draw -13/5
Blackburn win - 3/4
Special bet- Lee Martin to score first, Gillingham to win 2-1: 115/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72
Match Officials:
Referee - Trevor Kettle
Assistant Referee 1 - Daniel Cook
Assistant Referee 2 - Thomas Ramsey
Fourth Official - Andrew Williams