Steve Evans set to make changes for Carabao Cup tie.
Crawley Town v Gillingham
Carabao Cup
The People’s Pension Stadium
Tuesday August 10
Kick-Off, 7.30pm
Team News:
Steve Evans is expected to make changes ahead of Tuesday's cup tie. First year pros and youth team players are likely to be involved in the matchday squad. Harvey Lintott and Gerald Sithole will be in contention to start with Bailey Akehurst also available if needed.
Evans will be hopeful that the likes of John Akinde and Robbie McKenzie are fit as they look to rebuild their fitness. Mustapha Carayol could make his first Gills start having received his international clearance on Saturday before the draw against Lincoln.
Crawley could make changes for Tuesday’s game too. New signing Ludwig Francillette may make his debut for The Reds. Former Gills players Glenn Morris, Jack Payne and Jake Hessenthaler could feature.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - “I think it will be time for some of the academy kids to play. It’s not a priority competition and I’m not knocking it because we’ve had some good runs in it as a management team. With 14 senior players, we have to prioritise Plymouth.
“We will go there and will appeal for every decision and we will try and win.”
John Yems - "If we play like that [as per Saturday], there will be no atmosphere there, and there doesn't deserve to be."
Previous Meetings:
08/09/2020 - Gillingham 2-1 Crawley Town - EFL Trophy
13/11/2018 - Gillingham 2-1 Crawley Town - EFL Trophy
28/03/2015 - Crawley Town 1-2 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
11/11/2014 - Crawley Town 1-2 Gillingham - EFL Trophy
25/10/2014 - Gillingham 1-1 Crawley Town - Sky Bet League One
The meeting between the two teams last season in the Papa John's Trophy saw Steve Evans’ side come out on top. Gills beat The Red Devils 2-1 thanks to goals from Trae Coyle and Vadaine Oliver. Nathan Ferguson pulled a goal back, but it was not enough to inspire a comeback.
Gillingham’s last game at Crawley came in March 2015. It was a game that Gills won as Bradley Dack scored after 40 minutes; Izale McLeod scored just after the hour, and Jermaine McGlashan scored with 10 minutes to go. It secured a vital 2-1 win as Gills got a huge boost in their battle for survival.
Odds:
Crawley Town win - 9/4
Draw - 23/10
Gillingham win - 11/10
Special Bet: Gerald Sithole to score first and Gillingham to win 3-1- 130/1.
Match Officials:
Referee - Paul Howard
Assistants - James Vallance and Paul Kelly
Fourth Official - Robert Whitton