Steve Evans takes his Gills team to Fratton Park looking to climb back into the top half of the League 1 table.
Portsmouth v Gillingham
Sky Bet League One
Fratton Park
Saturday February 27
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Steve Evans confirmed that Callum Slattery will miss at least the next month of action, following his ankle injury against Bristol Rovers. Stuart O’Keefe could start on Saturday against his former club having played the second half against AFC Wimbledon.
Portsmouth’s Harvey White is expected to keep his place in the starting 11 having scored the winner against Oxford in midweek.
John Marquis could return to the team having been named on the substitutes bench against Oxford.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - “We can go there and not be afraid of them because we’ve got our own aspirations of that top group.
“We can go there and be more expressive on Saturday. Just go and play how we play with no fear.
“We’ve got the opportunity to go out and play at Fratton Park. It’s a wonderful place.”
Ryan Jackson - “It’s a good place to go to. Unfortunately, there will be no fans but hopefully next season there will be.
“After the result we had on Tuesday. We just want to put things right and bounce back.”
Kenny Jackett - “Bristol Rovers was just incredibly frustrating and watching it on iFollow was something you have to get used to.
“I don’t think that was easy at all.
“It’s much easier to be able to sit at the back of a stand with a phone and talk there. From that point of view, we got it better as the games went on.”
Previous Meetings:
20/10/2020 - Gillingham 0-2 Portsmouth - Sky Bet League One
01/01/2020 - Gillingham 1-1 Portsmouth - Sky Bet League One
12/10/2019 - Portsmouth 0-0 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
26/12/2018 - Gillingham 2-0 Portsmouth - Sky Bet League One
06/10/2018 - Portsmouth 0-2 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
The last meeting at Fratton Park ended in a 0-0 draw between the two sides. Portsmouth put constant pressure on the Gills goal for 90 minutes, but they remained strong and ensured a point.
The Gills last win at Fratton Park came in October 2018. Tom Eaves’ incredible first-half volley stole the headlines in a 2-0 win. Alex Lacey’s powerful strike on the stroke of half-time made things more comfortable for Steve Lovell’s men.
Pompey leads the head-to-head with 20 wins to Gillingham’s nine. There have also been nine draws in the fixture.
Odds:
Portsmouth win - 3/5
Draw - 11/4
Gillingham win - 17/4
Special Bet: Kyle Dempsey to score and Gillingham to win 1-0 - 120/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistants: Nigel Lugg and Andrew Fox
Fourth Official: Rob Smith
iFollow:
All UK subscribers can watch Saturday's game for a one-off fee of £10! Click the below graphic, or here, to purchase your match pass. In addition to the regular TV pictures, subscribers will be able to access match graphics and action replays.
Please be aware that you will notice a change to your regular commentary team.
