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Match preview: Gillingham v Peterborough United at Priestfield Stadium (Saturday, 3pm kick off)

Team news;

Elliott List has been called up to start for Gillingham against Peterborough United.

The 20-year-old replaces captain Lee Martin, who misses out through injury.

Elliott List is likely to be a threat again, most likely coming off the bench Picture: Andy Jones
Elliott List is likely to be a threat again, most likely coming off the bench Picture: Andy Jones

Elsewhere the Gillingham starting XI is unchanged.

On the bench Scott Wagstaff has returned. New signings Navid Nasseri and Rhys Murphy will have to wait a little longer before getting a call-up.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Zakuani, Garmston, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Reilly, List, Parker, Eaves. Subs: Hadler, Ogilvie, Nugent, Moussa, Wagstaff, Nash, Wilkinson.

Preview;

A 1-0 win at Peterborough four months ago was where it all started for Gills boss Steve Lovell.

Back then, with Lovell in caretaker charge, the Gills were one place off the bottom of League 1 and 13 points adrift of this weekend's visitors Peterborough.

Heading into this Saturday's game, a win for Gillingham would not only pull them level on points with Peterborough, but leave them as serious play-off candidates.

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell Picture: Andy Payton
Gillingham boss Steve Lovell Picture: Andy Payton

Last weekend the Gills were beaten 2-0 by Wigan, a result which ended a four-game winning streak for Lovell's men and an eight-game unbeaten run in League 1.

The Gills will be hoping that game against the league leaders Wigan was a mere blip and that they can get back on track on home soil.

Gillingham are seven unbeaten at home in the league.

Lee Martin up against Peterborough back in October Picture: Andy Jones
Lee Martin up against Peterborough back in October Picture: Andy Jones

League form;

Gillingham: L 0-2 Wigan (a), W 2-1 Fleetwood (h), W 3-1 Scunthorpe (a), W 2-1 Rochdale (h), W 2-1 Charlton (a), D 2-2 Wimbledon (h).

Peterborough: L 0-1 Southend (h), W 3-0 Oldham (h), D 0-0 Wigan (a), D 1-1 Doncaster (h), L 0-1 MK Dons (a), W 3-1 Bradford (a).

Head to Head;

Gills wins: 14, Draws: 19, Peterborough wins: 14

Last meeting at Priestfield;

Gillingham 0 Peterborough 1 - March 2017

Gillingham were beaten by a last minute goal the last time Peterborough were in town.

Posh substitue Junior Morias scored the winner, driving home from 25 yards.

Tomas Holy made his Gills debut against Peterborough Picture: Andy Jones
Tomas Holy made his Gills debut against Peterborough Picture: Andy Jones

Czech keeper Tomas Holy made his debut in goal for the Gills that day but he had little to deal with, in a game that lacked a cutting edge.

The second half was better than the first but it wasn't settled until late on, thanks to a super finish from Morias.

Last time out for Gills;

Wigan Athletic 2 Gillingham 0

Gillingham found league leaders Wigan too good last Saturday.

Goals from Will Grigg and Nick Powell put the hosts in firm control after little over half an hour gone, at the DW Stadium.

Will Grigg put Wigan ahead early on last weekend, scoring after 10 minutes Picture: Andy Payton
Will Grigg put Wigan ahead early on last weekend, scoring after 10 minutes Picture: Andy Payton

Michael Jacobs hit the woodwork in the second half for the home side as they held onto their first-half cushion.

Elliott List should have pulled a goal back for the Gills in stoppage-time but it was hashly ruled out for offside.

Team news;

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell is likely to name an unchanged XI for the visit of Peterborough.

Lovell was unhappy with the way his team started last weekend but won't be making major changes over one result, particularly after one against the league leaders.

Lee Martin is expected to be fit to play, despite suffering with a calf injury.

Gillingham captain Lee Martin Picture: Andy Jones
Gillingham captain Lee Martin Picture: Andy Jones

Scott Wagstaff may come back into contention, with a place on the bench at best, after coming through Tuesday night's friendly at Folkestone.

Alex Lacey (ankle) remains out injured.

Darren Oldaker has joined Hythe on loan, along with youngster Henry Arnold. Both played on Tuesday in a 2-1 win over Herne Bay. Young striker Greg Cundle, meanwhile, has joined Kingstonian for a month.

More on the Gills;

Gills manager lands monthly award

The Shouting Men column with striker Rhys Murphy

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally Picture: Ady Kerry

Scally's search for investment goes on

Stuart Nelson's fond farewell

Young goalkeeper ready for action

From the opposition;

Peterborough boss Grant McCann has been linked with the vacant Barnsley manager's job.

McCann is under pressure to lead Peterborough to a promotion challenge this season but his side are in danger of missing out.

Grant McCann under pressure to succeed this season Picture: Andy Jones
Grant McCann under pressure to succeed this season Picture: Andy Jones

A move to Barnsley, his former club as a player, may be well timed, particularly if they lose further ground this weekend.

McCann, focusing on the challenge at Posh, said: "Gillingham are in excellent form and have demonstrated what can happen if you string a few results together. Steve Lovell has done really well there.

"Hopefully the weather will be kind to our supporters because they will be in that uncovered stand behind the goal."

One to watch - Jack Marriott;

Gills fans might remember Jack's brief loan spell with the club, four years ago.

Then, under Peter Taylor, the Gills loaned the striker from Ipswich after a prolific spell with Woking. But he made just one sub appearance for the Gills.

Jack Marriott played just once for the Gills, against Brentford. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Jack Marriott played just once for the Gills, against Brentford. Picture: Barry Goodwin

He's now League 1's most potent striker, hitting 18 goals already.

The Gills kept him quiet last time around but boss Steve Lovell knows how deadly he can be.

"He is lively and a good player," said the Gills manager,

"When you score goals you have to be watched. Marcus Maddison is a good lad too, with a good left foot, and he caused most teams problems."

Man in the middle - Andy Davies

Games: 17, yellows: 65, reds: 2

Andy Davies comes in as referee to replace Craig Hicks, the originally appointed official.

It means the Gills are getting a more experienced official, rather than Hicks, who is in his first full season as a Football League official.

Davies is a Championship-level referee and Saturday's game will be his first this season taking charge of a game below the second tier.

It will be his first visit to Priestfield for a league match.

Assistants: Steven Plane and Samuel Ogles, fourth official: Carl Fitch-Jackson.

Fancy a flutter?

PaddyPower have priced the Gills at 15/8 to take all three points but it's a tight one to call, with Peterborough 7/5 to claim a win. The draw is 12/5.

Jack Marriott is the 9/2 favourite to score the first goal.

Elliott List is likely to be a threat again, most likely coming off the bench Picture: Andy Jones
Elliott List is likely to be a threat again, most likely coming off the bench Picture: Andy Jones

Conor Wilkinson grabbed a couple for the Gills in their midweek friendly at Folkestone. He's 13/5 to score anytime.

Elliott List is definitely a man due a goal, harshly having one ruled out for offside last weekend. It will happen soon. He's 10/3 to score in the 90.

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