It was away day joy for Steve Lovell and his Gillingham side last weekend, as the opening round of the new League One season produced an excellent 2-0 win against newly promoted Accrington Stanley.
This Saturday sees Gills take to home soil for the first time in 2018/19, looking to make it back-to-back victories against recently relegated Burton Albion.
Despite the bright showing at Accrington last time out, Gills’ first game at Priestfield isn’t without question marks lingering over it.
This is down to the underwhelming record at home last season, winning just 5 of the 23 league fixtures, the worst home return in the club’s history.
Saturday’s win hints at yet another positive campaign on the road, but should Lovell wish to steer the team into the top half of the table, the form in ME7 must improve.
Confidence should by sky-high after last week’s success, and given the summer they’ve had, Burton on paper at least look an ideal opponent to clash with in the opening home fixture.
Not only did they suffer a home defeat at the hands of Rochdale on the opening day, but looking from afar, it appeared their pre-season preparation was anything but a smooth road. Newly relegated teams also tend to start slowly, and Gills must take advantage.
On the injury front, Lovell should be able to welcome Alex Lacey and Callum Reilly back into the fold after missing out with minor knocks last week, whilst Elliott List and Conor Wilkinson could also return from injury set-backs.
Despite the aforementioned coming back into the squad, the starting eleven is unlikely to change from those that started at the Wham Stadium last week. Never change a winning team, right?
Expect Gills to continue with the narrow midfield diamond, which worked so efficiently last week, as Billy Bingham and co. dominated the middle of the park, whilst right back Luke O’Neill offered effective width to create the second goal.
Predicted line-up:
GK: Tomas Holy
RB: Luke O’Neill
CB: Max Ehmer
CB: Gabriel Zakuani
LB: Bradley Garmston
CM: Billy Bingham
CM: Mark Byrne
CM: Dean Parrett
CM: Regan Charles-Cook
ST: Josh Parker
ST: Brandon Hanlan
Taking into account the results for both teams on the opening day, Gills will without doubt be the more confident going into Saturday’s encounter.
With strikers Josh Parker and Brandon Hanlan both finding the net, Lovell will be pleased that his marksmen have both got off the mark at the first possible opportunity, and I’m expecting Parker to bag another this weekend, as Gillingham make it two from two to start the campaign.
Prediction: Gillingham 2-1 Burton Albion
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