Gills head to Brentford on Tuesday evening looking to cause a huge shock in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Brentford v Gillingham
Carabao Cup Third Round
GTech Community Stadium
Tuesday November 8th
Kick-Off, 7.45pm
Team News:
Ben Reeves, Jordan Green and Shaun Williams are unlikely to recover in time for Tuesday’s fixture. Olly Lee is likely to miss the game too after his quad-tightened during the warm-up at AFC Fylde which forced him out of the squad.
Club captain Stuart O’Keefe is also a doubt due to a tight quad that he picked up during the FA Cup First Round tie at Mill Farm.
Brentford are likely to make changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Nottingham Forest. The likes of Sergi Canos, Frank Onyeka, Saman Ghoddos and Mikkel Damsgaard could all come into the starting XI for the fixture, having been on the bench in their draw on Saturday.
Ivan Toney will start up front.
Manager Comments:
Neil Harris - “I look forward to seeing a friend of mine in Thomas Frank, and I look forward to going to Brentford’s new stadium. That’s going to be a tough challenge and we’re the underdogs. All the expectation is on Brentford.”
Thomas Frank - "They will come and play direct. We need to be ready for the second balls, set pieces and transition against us, then it’s about us. We need to get tempo in the game, find the good positions, and we need to play with few touches."
Previous Meetings:
The last meeting between the two clubs came during the 2013/14 season. The Gills travelled to Griffin Park hoping to put a dent in Brentford’s promotion aspirations.
However, Jonathon Douglas gave them the lead in the 22nd minute. Jake Bidwell delivered a cross the from the left, and Douglas prodded the ball home from close range while unmarked.
The Bees doubled their advantage in the 70th minute from the penalty spot. Adam Barrett hauled Tony Craig down inside the penalty area, giving the referee no choice but to point to award a penalty. Marcello Trotta took the penalty and made no mistake as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner as Stuart Nelson dived the other way.
The two-goal advantage did not last long as Cody McDonald pulled a goal back three minutes later. Craig Fagan received the ball just inside the Brentford half and played a pin-point first-time through ball for McDonald, who latched onto it before squeezing his shot beyond David Button.
The last time Gillingham won away at Brentford came during the 1999/2000 season. Gills scored two in two minutes as Manny Omoyinmi gave Peter Taylor’s side the lead in the 27th minute. He got on the end of a pass into the box before squeezing his shot through the legs of Andy Woodman.
Mark Saunders made it 2-0 as he was at full stretch to prod a cross towards the penalty spot into the bottom corner. Lloyd Owusu pulled a goal back just short of the hour as he beat the offside trap before slotting the ball beyond the oncoming Vince Bartram.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for Tuesday’s fixture are very nearly sold out. For all the information regarding the fixture, click here.
Collections can be made from the away ticket booth in the East Stand, between turnstiles G and H. Please contact us before 2pm on the day of the game if your tickets have not arrived in the post so duplicates can be requested.
Odds:
Brentford win - 1/8
Draw - 15/2
Gillingham win - 20/1
Special Bet: Gillingham to win on penalties - 12/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Mr Tim Robinson
Assistants: Graham Kane and Bhupinder Gill
Fourth Official: Carl Brook