Preview by Ben Winfield

Gillingham will be eager to end a run of eight games without a win when they play Bristol Rovers this Saturday.

Although they have passed the 50-point mark, the Gills will still be looking to secure their place in League One next season.

Following Tuesday's results they sit 17th, four points clear of the relegation zone.

The Gills will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing display against Blackpool with a win that will guarantee them safety.

Hosts Bristol Rovers have very little to play for, as they sit in in mid-table, comfortably clear of the relegation zone and with no chance of making the play-offs.

Read what Steve Lovell had to say ahead of their trip to Bristol Rovers.

Head to head;

Gillingham wins: 40 Draws: 19 Bristol Rovers wins: 45

League form;

Gillingham (LLDDDL): Blackpool (h) L 0-3, Rotherham United (h) L 0-1, Oldham Athletic (a) D 1-1, Blackburn Rovers (h) D 0-0, Doncaster Rovers (h) D 0-0, Southend United (a) L 0-4.

Bristol Rovers (DLDDLW): Wigan Athletic (h) D 1-1, Rotherham United (a) L 0-2, Blackburn Rovers (h) D 1-1, Charlton Athletic (a) D 1-1, Fleetwood Town (a) L 2-0, Bury (h) W 2-1

Last Meeting at The Memorial Stadium;

Bristol Rovers 2 Gillingham 1- Oct 15, 2016

Gillingham went down to a last minute Ellis Harrison winner the last time they travelled to The Memorial Stadium.

The Gills went ahead through Josh Wright just after the hour-mark, before Chris Lines got the equaliser as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Harrison volleyed in a winner in the final minute of normal time to secure Rovers the three points.

The result left Gillingham struggling in 18th in League One.

Last time out;

Gillingham 0 Blackpool 3

Gillingham extended their winless run to eight games with a 3-0 defeat to Blackpool at Priestfield Stadium.

Blackpool went into the break two-goals ahead thanks to a quick-fire double from Kyle Vassell and Nathan Delfouneso.

Jay Spearing missed a penalty in the opening minutes of the second period, before Kevin Mellor sealed it with a third late on.

The Gills failed to register a shot on target until stoppage time at the end of the second half with a scuffed effort from Liam Nash.

Team news;

Tomas Holy could return to the Gills' starting line-up having sat out the defeat at Blackpool.

Another man who could come back into the side is Gabriel Zakuani, who was unavailable on Saturday after picking up a head injury against Rotherham.

Fellow defender Bradley Garmston is also expected to be fit again after suffering an ankle injury.

More on the Gills;

Gloves up for grabs: Tomas Holy and Tom Hadler fighting for no.1 spot

The Shouting Men Column with Gills defender Ben Nugent

Keeper Tom Hadler talks about making his debut for the Gills

From the opposition camp;

Rovers currently sit 13th in the division, but despite having very little to fight for, will be looking to finish the season strongly.

They have gone five games without a win, but picked up a credible draw at home to Wigan on Tuesday night.

Following the game, Rovers manager Darrell Clarke announced that Saturday's game will be Lee Brown's last for the club. Brown will end a seven-year spell at the club.

Clarke said: "He’s had a lot of personal issues and family problems this season.

"Saturday we’ll give him the send of he deserves and he’ll get the armband Saturday too, I’m sure our fans will give him a good reception."

The game will be Rovers' final home game of the season, before a trip to Southend on the final day.

One to watch;

Ellis Harrison is Rovers' top scorer, having found the net on 12 occasions this season.

The 24-year-old also scored the winner the last time the two sides met at the Memorial Stadium during the 2016/17 season.

Harrison started his career with Rovers, and barring a short loan spell with Hartlepool United in 2016, has spent his whole career with the club.

He has had to step up since the turn of the year when Billy Bodin, who scored nine goals in the first half of the League One season, left to join Preston North End.

The highlight of Harrison's season came in the opening few weeks when he scored the winner as Rovers knocked Fulham out of the League Cup.

Man in the middle - Ollie Yates;

Games: 6 Yellows: 21 Reds: 0

Saturday's match will be Yates' first experience refereeing the Gills, and just his sixth taking charge of a League One match.

It will be the second time he has refereed a Rovers game, having been in control of their 2-1 home defeat to Bolton in August 2016.

He was the fourth official as the Gills came from behind to beat Watford in the League Cup in August 2016, with Bradley Dack scoring an extra time winner.

Assistants: John Farries and Andrew Laver. Fourth official: Ravel Cheosiaua

Fancy a punt?

The Gills are 12/5 with SkyBet to win on Saturday, while Rovers are favourites at 21/20, with the draw at 12/5.

With Gillingham’s struggle for a goal continuing, a 0-0 draw is available at 17/2.

The Gills beat Rovers 4-1 in December, and it's odds of 80/1 that they will repeat that scoreline on Saturday.