Steve Lovell has no fresh injury or suspension concerns for the visit of Oxford.
GILLINGHAM V OXFORD UNITED
The Medway Priestfield Stadium
Sky Bet League 1
Saturday March 9
Kick-off, 3pm
Team News:
Steve Lovell will be without midfielder Billy Bingham for at least a few more weeks with a calf injury, and Gabriel Zakuani will be out for the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury.
Ricky Holmes (back) along with Alex Lacey (ankle) are unlikely to be risked at this stage, although the centre-back could feature against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday. The rest of the squad are fully fit with Max Ehmer set to Captain the side in his 200th appearance for the club.
As for Oxford, Cameron Brannagan has completed a two-match suspension and is available for selection once again.
Ahmed Kashi is another player who has returned to fitness but Malachi Napa has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a virus.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell – “We mainly concentrate on ourselves and I think we’re playing well at the moment.
“We’re all enjoying what we’re doing and I think it’s quite settled.
“Supporters will look at the table and think this one’s really important but I think they’re all just as important and any wins you can pick up will be crucial.”
Karl Robinson - "We are looking for a level of consistency in our performances and a resilience as well as an excitement in our game that actually hurts the opposition. But equally we know we are up against a good Gillingham side at a difficult place to go and play. Hopefully we go and build on last week.”
Previous Meetings:
The last time Gills played Oxford United was in the reverse fixture (2018/19) in November, during which Oxford secured a goal in the second half via the penalty spot and managed to hold on, taking all three points and a 1-0 win.
The Gills also took on the U’s in 2017 at The Medway Priestfield Stadium for a league match; both teams took a point after a 1-1 draw, with goals by Gills Conor Wilkinson and Oxford United’s Ricardinho.
The reverse league fixture saw Oxford United take the victory with a comfortable 3-0 win at the Kassam.
Within the same 2017/18 season we also faced Oxford United in the Football League Trophy, with the U’s advancing courtesy of a 2-1 win.
In total both teams have played 45 games against each other. The Gills edge the head to head statistics with 18 wins to 13.
Odds:
Gills win – 7/4
Draw – 23/10
Oxford United win – 7/5
Special Bet: Gills to win 3-0 and Graham Burke to score first – 160/1.
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 – Ollie Yates
Assistant Referee 1 – Marc Wilson
Assistant Referee 2 – George Byrne
Fourth Official – Dean Treleaven
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