Match Previews

Preview | Gillingham v Sunderland

15th October

Gills back at home for the visit of high-flying Sunderland.

Gillingham v Sunderland

Sky Bet League One

MEMS Priestfield Stadium

Saturday October 16

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Steve Evans confirmed that Ryan Jackson and Mustapha Carayol are unlikely to feature against Sunderland as they continue to recover from injury, however they will be assessed up until the last possible moment. Daniel Phillips will definitely miss out.

Sunderland will be without Corry Evans and Nathan Broadhead for the trip to Kent as they continue to recover from injuries.

Saturday’s game will come too soon for Lynden Gooch, while Aiden McGeady will require a late fitness test. Luke O’Nien is available despite a rib injury.

Manager Comments:

Steve Evans - "We are very level and it's always about the next game.

"This is the strongest ever League 1 so we need our best players to play at the top of their form."

Jamie McAllister [Sunderland Assistant] - "All the international lads have returned now. We've had no injuries which is a positive.

"The only one where we maybe have a slight issue is Leon Dajaku, who we're just monitoring at the moment.”

Recent Form:

Gillingham- LLLWD

Gills were beaten 2-0 at Wycombe in their last game and have lost their previous three by the same scoreline. Wigan Athletic were victorious at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in the club’s last home league game. Second-half goals by Max Power and Will Keane helped the Latics on their way to a 2-0 victory.

Sunderland- WWLWW

Sunderland head into the fixture sat in fourth place, just a point off the top of the table. They have won their previous two games, which were in the Papa Johns Trophy. They secured 2-1 wins over Lincoln and Manchester United Under 21s.

In their last league game, they were heavily beaten at Fratton Park as Portsmouth ran out 4-0 winners. However, their last win came at the expense of Cheltenham Town as they dominated in a 5-0 win. Ross Stewart scored a brace in the game.

Previous Meetings:

The last meeting between the two clubs came at the Stadium of Light in January. Gills responded to Sunderland goals on two occasions as they came away with a 2-2 draw.

Aiden McGeady opened the scoring with a deflected shot from outside the box, but Alex MacDonald equalised with a fine volley. Grant Leadbitter saw his penalty saved by Jack Bonham but was able to head home the rebound. Jordan Graham scored a last gasp equaliser after rounding the Sunderland keeper and striking emphatically into the roof of the net.

The last Gillingham win against Sunderland came at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in December 2019. Connor Ogilvie’s late volley proved to be the winner as he sent the Rainham End into raptures. It would be Gillingham’s first ever league win over Sunderland.