Gills are back at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday for the visit of Doncaster Rovers as the business end of the season begins.
Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers
Sky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday March 20
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Gills will likely go unchanged following Tuesday’s incredible win over Lincoln. There were only six substitutes for the game, so Steve Evans will be hopeful that one of Matty Willock, Christian Maghoma or James Morton will be available.
Doncaster Rovers boss Andy Butler confirmed that Josh Sims, Omar Bogle, Reece James, AJ Greaves, and former Gills loanee Scott Robertson will all be available for Saturday’s fixture.
Jon Taylor and Jon Bostock will be the only absentees for Donny.
Manager Comments:
Steve Evans - “When they come to Priestfield on Saturday it’s going to be a stern challenge.
“They’ve got a top class squad, and I’m sure that they’ll be in the top six.”
Stuart O’Keefe - “Doncaster are a great team, we saw that at the Keepmoat. They were way too good for us on the day.
“They’ve lost their manager in Darren Moore and one of their key players, but we still expect a tough game.
“Doncaster are still going to come here and play the way that they play. We will have to be at our best again to get the three points.”
Andy Butler - “It’s a challenge. We know when you pick up injuries in a squad, especially when they’re key players.
“The team has managed but any squad losing those kind of players would struggle.
“It’s pleasing to have them back and hopefully it’s a confidence booster for the rest of the lads seeing them back in the squad.”
Previous Meetings:
12/12/2020 - Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
15/02/2020 - Gillingham 2-1 Doncaster Rovers - Sky Bet League One
01/12/2019 - Gillingham 3-0 Doncaster Rovers - FA Cup
03/08/2019 - Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Gillingham - Sky Bet League One
29/12/2018 - Gillingham 1-2 Doncaster Rovers - Sky Bet League One
The Gills hosted Donny twice last season and were successful in both games. The first came in December 2019, in the Second Round of the FA Cup. Goals from Mark Byrne, Olly Lee and Brandon Hanlan sent Gills on their way to the Third Round.
Donny also travelled to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in the league before the season was cancelled. Ben Sheaf's first-half goal had given the visitors the lead, but Fejiri Okenabirhie’s red card changed the game. Gills scored twice through Cameron John’s own goal's to secure all three points.
Gillingham lead the head-to-head with 34 wins to 14, and there have been 19 draws in the fixture.
Odds:
Gillingham win - 13/10
Draw - 12/5
Doncaster Rovers win - 15/8
Special Bet: Vadaine Oliver to score first and Gillingham to win 2-1- 25/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Will Finnie
Assistants: Christopher Wade and Aaron Farmer
Fourth Official: Carl Brook
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.
