Stephen Clemence takes his Gills side to Tranmere looking for his first away league win as Head Coach.
Tranmere Rovers v Gillingham
Sky Bet League Two
Prenton Park
Saturday 25th November
Kick-Off: 15:00
Team News:
The Gills squad is approaching full fitness heading into Matchday 19 of the 23/24 League Two season. After suffering a raft of injuries to key players in the past weeks and months, the First-Team is almost back to being at full strength.
The only doubts for Stephen Clemence heading into this weekend’s fixture away to Tranmere Rovers is the fitness of both Oli Hawkins and Robbie McKenzie. Hawkins, who has suffered with an ongoing heel injury which has kept him out of contention for months, was finally welcomed back to training this week.
McKenzie could make the trip to Prenton Park, however he will be assessed up until the last moment.
As for Tranmere, Manager Nigel Adkins has confirmed that Striker Luke Norris will be unavailable for the match. The striker requires an operation after suffering a foot injury, sustained in their recent match against Forest Green.
The home side will also be without Paul Lewis and Joe Starbuck. Midfielder Josh Hawkes could potentially make an appearance, having taken part in training this week.
Manager Comments:
Stephen Clemence: “Nigel has been around for a long, long time and is someone I have a lot of respect for. I know it will be a difficult game, he will have them well organised.
Nigel Adkins: "It’s going to be an interesting game. They've got a new manager. They were top of the league at the start of the season. Then obviously, like all teams, they had a little bit of a dip in form.
"This is a very competitive division; I think everybody would agree on that. They've got some talented football players at Gillingham. They've got some players who have played at a high level, who are talented on the football. It should be a good game for the fans to go and enjoy."
Previous Meeting:
Our last meeting with Tranmere Rovers came back in March of this year, our hosts travelling to Priestfield for the reverse fixture in the 22/23 Sky Bet League Two season.
A 2-0 win for the Gills on the day saw a first half goal from captain, Shaun Williams. The skipper meeting a corner at the back post to head past Joe Murphy. Gillingham made it two on 83 minutes played. Connor Masterson found himself unmarked in the centre of the opposition box. The centre-back tucking it home from the improvised pass from Williams.
Head-to-Head:
Tranmere Rovers – 14
Draw – 15
Gillingham – 8
Tranmere have had the best of this fixture ever since the two sides first met in the 1961/62 season, when this weekend’s opponents came to Priestfield in the old Division Four.
Gillingham have met Tranmere on a total of 37 occasions since that first meeting, playing out 15 draws and picking up eight wins. The sides have never met in cup competition.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for Away supporters are no longer available to purchase online.
**Tickets will be available to purchase on the day at Matchday prices**
Click here for all information.
Match Officials:
Referee: Marc Edwards
Assistants: Joe Simpson & Johnathon Bickerdike
Fourth Official: Richard Woodward
Odds:
Tranmere Win – 21/10
Draw – 23/10
Gillingham Win – 6/5
Special Bet – Tom Nichols to score and Gillingham to win – 9/2.
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