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Burton Albion v Gillingham - Match Preview - Written by Lewis Browning

 Gillingham and Burton Albion’s men’s teams will face off this weekend with both sides knowing a win could push them into the top 10 in League One as we head towards the final leg of the 2019/20 season.


 It’s a big one for both sides; here’s our preview of the matchup.


 The Details


 Burton Albion v Gillingham


 Pirelli Stadium


 SkyBet League One


 Saturday February 8, 3:00pm


 Team News


 Deadline day signing Jordan Graham could make his Gillingham debut at the Pirelli Stadium after joining the club on loan last week. The 24-year-old has joined the Gills until the end of the season from Wolves, with his contract at the Midlands club due to expire in the summer.


The Blues will welcome back Tom O’Connor after he missed their previous two matches following a period on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The team could be without midfield duo Stuart O’Keefe and Alfie Jones, however, after both players picked up a knock each last week against Shrewsbury. They are both set to travel with the team and judgements will be made last minute as to whether they can play.


 Mark Byrne is the only long-term injury absentee.


 Burton have almost a full squad to pick from ahead of the game. Nathan Broadhead is expected to feature, and Ben Fox is back in training after having missed the majority of the season through injury. Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins is still recovering from a long-term setback. New signing Kwame Thomas is expected to start from the bench.
What The Managers Said


 Gillingham manager Steve Evans: “The boys have come back in and trained hard. They will need to work smart on Saturday. Those that are not in the team need to be ready to play – we said that to Ben Pringle, and he was excellent against Shrewsbury.


“Jordan Graham is a talented boy; he was so well thought of at Wolves and we tracked him, watched him, and bought him in. It’s a chance for him to get into the team and have a stage to perform.


 “Burton have a strong front two and their midfield is tasty. I have enormous respect for Nigel Clough and their chairman. Nigel’s team reminds me of the one I had at Rotherham and I am impressed with the signings he has made. We will have a game plan and we know the rewards if we win – we need to take our chances. There are 16 games to go and we need to average two points per game.”


 Burton manager Nigel Clough: “We’ve got nearly everyone fit at the moment which is great, and it could well be a fully fit squad going into the weekend. We had the chance to bring an experienced striker in on deadline day but that didn’t quite happen. We were working late.”
Form


Gillingham are on the longest unbeaten run in League One with no defeats in their last 10. They were victorious last time out against Shrewsbury after four straight draws, and will want to back up that win with another three points.
The Blues have, however, won just once on the road this campaign; a 1-0 victory over Accrington back in October. They have drawn nine of their 13 games on the road, though.

Burton were undefeated in five League One matches before a narrow 3-2 loss at Rotherham United at the weekend.
Previous Meetings
Burton ran out 2-1 victors at Priestfield earlier this season thanks to a Nathan Broadhead brace. The Gills had gone ahead through Ouss Cissé, but Broadhead ensured all three points went back to Burton.
In last season’s equivalent of Saturday’s fixture, Gillingham came away 3-2 winners after Josh Rees netted a 91st minute winner. The Gills were two goals to the good at half-time through Elliott List and a Callum Reilly penalty, although Scott Fraser struck twice to peg the visitors back early in the second-half. Burton controlled the majority of the game, but it was Rees and Gillingham who had the last laugh.
Altogether, the teams have met 12 times in the past. Gillingham edge the victories with their six to Burton’s five, whilst there has also been one draw. 
Officials
Referee: Alan Young
Assistants: Ravel Cheosiaua and Christopher Husband
Fourth official: Thomas Harty
It promises to be a tough game for Gillingham on Saturday – let’s hope they can get the job done, keep the undefeated streak going and continue their charge towards the top six.

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