Gills will look to secure their fifth successive home win on Saturday as League 1 giants Sunderland make the trip to ME7.
GILLINGHAM V SUNDERLAND
Sky Bet League 1
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday December 7
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Matty Willock (knee) has now fully recovered from his injury but is still a couple of weeks away from being considered for a starting place. Ben Pringle is still missing due to suspension but will return for next weekend’s game against Fleetwood.
Stuart O’Keefe (hamstring) is rated 50/50.
As for Sunderland, Max Power misses out due to suspension but Charlie Wyke and Marc McNulty have returned to training and could be in contention for a starting place at ME7.
George Dobson is back after serving his one match ban, but Lynden Gooch (ankle) is injured.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - "There is no doubt in my mind they will be in the top six come the end of the season. They are a giant in League 1 and our job is to maintain the standards we have set in the last few weeks and continue to build our momentum, and at the same time stop Sunderland from creating some of their own."
Phil Parkinson - "We have got to stand up to the way they are going to play, which we have got the capabilities to do.
"We have also got to have the calmness in possession to be able to play quickly against them, but we have to get both sides of the game right to give us the best chance of winning three points.”
Previous Meetings:
This is the third time the clubs have met in the space of a month; the other two games coming in the FA Cup's opening round. The first, at the Stadium of Light, saw a 1-1 draw being played out with Olly Lee grabbing an equaliser shortly after the half-time break to force a replay.
At MEMS Priestfield Stadium Brandon Hanlan struck the only goal of the game in extra-time to send Gills through to play Doncaster.
In total, the two teams have met on 12 occasions. Of those Sunderland have won seven games, with Gills winning only two.
Odds:
Gills win – 19/10
Draw – 23/10
Sunderland win – 13/10
Special bet: Brandon Hanlan to score first in a 2-0 Gills win – 55/1.
Officials:
Referee - Andy Woolmer
Assistant Referee 1 - Adrian Waters
Assistant Referee 2 - Mark Russell
Fourth Official - Nigel Lugg