Gillingham v Cambridge United
Sky Bet League Two
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Friday December 26, 2025
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Gareth Ainsworth is hoping to have four players returning from injury available for selection on Boxing Day. Garath McCleary is unlikely to be involved after picking up a knock in the warm-up at Fleetwood.
However, Conor Masterson, Josh Andrews and Sam Vokes are all pushing for involvement. The game will likely come too soon for Glenn Morris.
Cambridge’s Kell Watts is a doubt for the fixture, having suffered a dead leg in the victory at Accrington Stanley. Boxing Day will likely be too soon for Michael Morrison, Dom Ball and Korey Smith.
Manager Comments:
Gareth Ainsworth - “The way that the opposition plays always affects me; I always say that. There have been one or two games where we haven’t known what’s coming, but I think that Cambridge, in the run of form that they have had, will be similar, and in a similar vein of form. I don’t think that Neil will be changing too much, so we will have a look at them.
“It is about our strengths and what we can do to teams. I don’t want to be the manager who just focuses totally on the opposition and stops them.”
Neil Harris- “They have gone through a lull, but we’re playing at Priestfield, and they make it extremely difficult for you.
“It is a difficult place to play, you have to be extremely competitive because they will play forward and run forward, and they will chuck the ball in the box at every opportunity. The ball will be crossed into our box from set-pieces or crossed from open play through attack-minded wing-backs.
“They are going to be aggressive in their approach and we have to match that.”
Previous Meetings:
Gillingham leads the head-to-head with 13 wins to Cambridge’s six. The fixture has also seen two draws.
Cambridge visited ME7 in October 1999 and took an early lead through Tom Youngs. He rounded Vince Bartram before slotting into an empty net. Andy Thomson brought the Gills back on level terms moments after coming on at half-time. A high cross from the right was directed towards the near post, and Thomson beat Arjan Heusden to the ball, heading it in off the crossbar.
The forward completed the turnaround with a few minutes remaining. A low ball was drilled towards the six-yard box, which Thomson latched onto, prodding it into the far corner of the net, securing a 2-1 victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIIvuGUbcuE&t=1s
Tickets:
Home supporters can buy tickets online, or in person, up until kick-off. Our ticketing desk will be open from 9am on the day of the fixture. Away fans can also purchase online via their dedicated away portal until 3pm.
BUY TICKETS | GILLINGHAM V CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Streaming:
Friday’s fixture will be available to stream on Sky Sports+, with kick-off at 3pm. Audio passes are also available for a one-off fee, click here to purchase.
Overseas fans have access to a video feed for a one-off fee with commentary from BBC Radio Kent.
Click here to buy.
Odds:
Gills- 19/10
Draw- 19/10
Cambridge United- 29/20
Match Officials:
Referee - Neil Hair
Assistants - David Hutton and Rob Smith
Fourth Official - Scott Williams
