Gillingham will host Sunderland on Saturday in EFL League One to try to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat
After a positive start to the season, Steve Evans’s team slipped to 16th in the standings and is in freefall Sunderland, meanwhile, is seventh and has not won in two
Gillingham is currently suffering from numerous injuries Jacob Mellis’ season is over after being confirmed within a week of suffering a cartilage injury, while Stuart O’Keefe is also out for the campaign with a broken leg
Ryan Jackson is in doubt after facing Ipswich on Tuesday, with Tom O’Connor out for two weeks
Goalkeeper Jack Bonham was also injured against Ipswich and ruled out with a concussion Gillingham completed the emergency loan signing from QPR goalkeeper Joe Lumley on Friday, and he will start between the sticks
Kyle Dempsey and Vadaine Oliver are not quite in good shape, but they are expected to play The Gills will however once again host Connor Ogilvie from suspension and potentially Declan Drysdale, who missed the Ipswich game to attend a funeral in a level three zone He has since returned a negative COVID-19 test and is ready to start again
For Sunderland, Luke O’Nien is available for selection after serving a ban and recovering from an ankle injury
Jordan Willis to face an assessment of an ongoing patellar tendonitis issue, with Dion Sanderson back in shape after a midweek blow
Gillingham (potential 4-4-2): Lumley, McKenzie, Tucker, Medley, Ogilvie – Graham, Eccles, Dempsey, MacDonald – Samuel, Oliver
Sunderland (possible 3-4-3): Burge – Sanderson, Wright, Flanagan – McLaughlin, Power, Dobson, Hume – Maguire, Wyke, Gooch
Gillingham has now lost four straight games Since defeating Oxford United 3-1 on October 10, Steve Evans’ side have lost 2-0 to MK Dons, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town, and 1-0 against Ipswich Town; this last Tuesday evening
Steve Evans has a huge stain on his hands because not only has his team lost four games in a row, they’ve done it without scoring Another loss to Sunderland, and the Gills will really be on a downward spiral
Sunderland has also started the season well, but has slipped out of the Ligue 1 play-offs after failing to win either of their last two games
After a 3-1 loss to Portsmouth, Phil Parkinson’s side drew 2-2 with Rochdale in midweek. Early season favorites for promotion, Black Cats hope to get back on track at Priestfield Saturday
Although the Gills have struggled in front of goal recently, Jordan Graham remains the one to watch for the hosts.The winger has four league goals and one assist to his name so far this season, and most of the Gills game goes through him
He’s created several opportunities for his teammates lately – he played against John Akinde one-on-one and prompted Alex MacDonald to hit the bar, both against Ipswich – but he got no awards for his efforts
Expect plenty of crosses from the box from him, and if Gillingham scores he is bound to be involved
Despite the spat of Sunderland fans, Charlie Wyke is the talisman of the Black Cats at the minute
The striker has scored in his last two games and is the man chosen to lead the line at the minute He will think his chances on Saturday against an inexperienced defense from Gillingham who has struggled to keep goals this season, so don’t be surprised if he’s on the scoresheet again at Priestfield
The teams have yet to meet this season, but the last meeting between the two teams – Gillingham’s last game before the end of last season – was drawn 2-2 at the Stadium of Light after Former Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron scored one last minute equalizer for Gillingham
In fact, the two teams met four times last season, with Gillingham winning two and two draws
In total, the teams have crossed paths 14 times in their history, with Sunderland winning seven games against three from Gillingham There were also four draws between the two
The game has not been selected for UK TV coverage, but an iFollow pass can be purchased for £ 10 through either club’s website to stream the game live
Holders of a Gillingham season pass can watch for free via a code that must be received from the club
Gillingham boss Steve Evans praised Sunderland when he spoke to the press on Friday morning
He said: « Sunderland is better this year Parky [Phil Parkinson] now has the opportunity to fully implement his style It’s a good experienced management team I see them in the top two at the end of the season
« We’re underdogs because it’s Sunderland Football Club Whenever the team’s coach shows up they’re favorites If they don’t get promoted it’s not great – they might play in the Premier League
« I took the time to watch the full reruns We know pretty much what the squad will be and the form will be the same as they played because they played well They are a team great full of good players «
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson was suspicious of Gillingham during his press conference, but admitted he expects his team to get a result
He said: « We know what to expect from Gillingham They will be similar to last season in the way they play
« Steve Evans recruited some decent players and they started well before they got indifferent
« We create clear opportunities We had sharp opportunities I am convinced that we have the attackers who will participate in the goals »
Sunderland AFC, Gillingham FC, Phil Parkinson, EFL League One
World news – UK – Gillingham vs Sunderland preview: how to watch, kick-off time, news from the team, planned rosters and those to watch
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
