Jordan Graham pushing for a start as Gills prepare to lock horns with Bristol Rovers at ME7.
Gillingham v Bristol Rovers
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Sky Bet League One
Saturday February 20
Kick-Off, 1pm
Team News:
Steve Evans will have to assess a couple of knocks ahead of the game. Stuart O’Keefe could return to the starting 11 having been rested against Peterborough in midweek. Jordan Graham is pushing for a start with Alex MacDonald also looking to make the XI.
Bristol Rovers interim-manager Tommy Widdrington believes that former Gills captain, Max Ehmer, could feature although he requires surgery on a shoulder injury.
Sam Nicholson is also a doubt for the game as his hip issues have resurfaced. He is likely to try and play through the injury if available to play.
Manager Comments:
Paul Raynor - "We have done our homework; there is some real strength in their squad, we are wary of the qualities they've got.
"It's a pivotal couple of weeks. We want to be looking up with an eye on the play-offs.”
Kyle Dempsey - “We’re going into the game knowing that it will be a tough battle and we’ve just got to focus on our own game plan and implement our style of play. Hopefully it takes care of business.”
Tommy Widdrington- “It’s never an easy task going up against Steve. He’s a proper football man. No matter what people say about him, he wants to do the best he possibly can for the team he fronts up.”
Previous Meetings:
02/12/2020 - Bristol Rovers 0-2 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
17/09/2019 - Bristol Rovers 1-1 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
12/03/2019 - Gillingham 0-1 Bristol Rovers - Sky Bet League One
27/11/2018 - Bristol Rovers 1-2 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
28/04/2018 - Bristol Rovers 1-1 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
The last meeting between the two sides came earlier this season. A Vadaine Oliver brace was enough to secure all three points for Gillingham in a 2-0 win.
Gillingham’s last win at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium over The Gas came in December 2017. Mark Byrne’s incredible volley stole the show in what was a dominant 4-1 victory. Byrne scored a brace on the day with Alex Lacey and Josh Parker also getting on the scoresheet.
Bristol Rovers lead the head-to-head with 46 wins to the Gills 42. There have been 21 draws in this fixture.
Odds:
Gillingham win - 21/20
Draw - 5/2
Bristol Rovers - 23/10
Special Bet: Olly Lee to score first and Gillingham to win 2-0- 50/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: James Oldham
Assistants: Damith Bandara and Conor Farrell
Fourth Official: Lee Swabey
iFollow:
Gills season ticket holders can watch the game completely free of charge provided the email address used to access the iFollow platform matches the one on the club database. If you are not sure which email is registered then please contact us on ticketoffice@priestfield.com.
Once logged in, access the match centre approximately half an hour before kick-off and you should be able to click a "Watch Now" icon which will give you the feed to the live pictures. Just before kick-off you should also receive audio from BBC Radio Kent.
If you are not a season ticket holder then you can watch the game for a one off fee of £10! Click here to purchase your match pass, or via the below graphic.
