Preview | Oxford United v Gillingham

Gills back on the road as Steve Lovell's side travel to the Kassam.

OXFORD UNITED V GILLINGHAM

The Kassam Stadium

Sky Bet League 1

Saturday November 17

Kick-off, 3pm

Team News:

Callum Reilly (groin) won’t be risked for the game against Oxford but should be available for the trip to Hartlepool. Otherwise manager Steve Lovell has a fully fit squad to choose from.

As for Oxford, winger Gavin Whyte and midfielder Aaron Heap are away on international duty while Jamie Mackie is also ruled out as he serves a one match ban after picking up five yellow cards this season, meaning that Sam Smith will continue in his place.

Ricky Holmes (back) could return but Tony McMahon is ruled out after cracking a rib last weekend.

Shandon Baptiste, Samir Carruthers, Jon Obika and Rob Hall are all ruled out.

 

Manager Comments:

Steve Lovell – “If everybody is fit then I’ve got a very good squad to pick from, so I think it’s only Callum Reilly that’s out and he’ll be back next week so with Josh Parker back from international duty  hopefully, touch wood, for the Luton Game we’ll have a full quota of players available.”

Karl Robinson – “When you have these injuries and when your back is against the wall you have to fight, and that is what the players will do against Gillingham. We will look to make strong decisions against a side who we know can play two systems, and who we know have dangerous forwards.”

 

Previous Meetings:

The teams last met on Boxing Day 2017 when a late strike from sub Conor Wilkinson rescued a point for Steve Lovell’s men having gone a goal down thanks to Ricardinho’s effort on 52 minutes.

The reverse league fixture at the Kassam Stadium saw Oxford record a comfortable 3-0 win. Oxford also won a Checkatrade Trophy tie at Priestfield, securing a 2-1 victory.

In total both teams have played 44 games against each other. The Gills have a lead with 18 wins in total to Oxford United’s 12.

 

Odds:

Oxford win – evens

Draw – 12/5

Gills win – 11/4

Special Bet: Elliott List to score first and Gills to win 2-1 – 60/1.

For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72.

 

iFollow:

You can listen to live radio commentary from Priestfield by signing up to iFollow.

Our colleagues at BBC Radio Kent will be on hand to guide you through the action.

The various packages available can be seen here.

 

Officials:

Referee - Neil Hair

Assistant Referee 1 - Matthew Lee

Assistant Referee 2 - Bhupinder Gill

Fourth Official - Grant Taylor

 

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