Steve Lovell's side going in search of back-to-back wins.
SUNDERLAND V GILLINGHAM
The Stadium of Light
Sky Bet League 1
Tuesday February 19, 2019
Kick-off, 7.45pm
Team News:
Alex Lacey (ankle) will remain in the treatment room for another couple of weeks while Ricky Holmes (back) is unlikely to feature until the second week of March.
Gabriel Zakuani (ankle) will be out for the rest of the season while Josh Rees (muscle strain) is rated 50/50.
As for Sunderland, Lee Cattermole Chris Maguire are among those pushing for recalls, while Bryan Oviedo (calf) could also be in contention.
Duncan Watmore is a long-term absentee while Glenn Loovens and Donald Love are still out.
Manager Comments:
Jack Ross - “It’s hard to predict the league at this stage in the season because, as has been the case with us too, there’s quite a lot of variation in terms of personnel in games because of the schedule and demands of games.
“But as well, concern over familiarity means they change the way they play as well, and Gillingham have done that in the last few games.”
Steve Lovell – "Sunderland have got a great bunch of players but it will be about the application and work rate that we put in.
“We are going to a big stadium with big support but that shouldn't faze us because we have gone to Portsmouth and beaten them. We will look forward to it."
Previous Meetings:
In the reverse fixture earlier this season Sunderland secured a 4-1 win over the Gills at Priestfield having fallen behind early on thanks to a header from top scorer Tom Eaves.
The teams have only met each other nine times, perhaps most memorably in the 1986/87 old third division play-off semi-final. Gillingham went through to the Final after progressing on away goals, the aggregate score being 6-6.
Gillingham have never won at the Stadium of Light.
Odds:
Sunderland win – 8/15
Draw – 29/10
Gills win – 5/1
Special Bet: Leonardo da Silva Lopes to score first in a 2-1 Gills win –290/1.
For more odds and markets visit www.skybet.com/fl72.
iFollow:
You can watch the game live on iFollow by purchasing a one-off £10 match pass. Along with this you will gain access to exclusive radio commentary courtesy of BBC Radio Kent.
Officials:
Referee - Matthew Donohue
Assistant Referee 1 - Kevin Mulraine
Assistant Referee 2 - Robert Atkin
Fourth Official - Anthony Backhouse
SAT NAV: SR5 1SU