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League 1 match preview: Walsall v Gillingham (Banks's Stadium, 3pm, Saturday)

Teams;

Gabriel Zakuani and Billy Bingham return to Gillingham’s starting eleven for the match at Walsall.

They come in for Callum Reilly and Alex Lacey, who are named on the bench,

Walsall v Gillingham (3665455)
Walsall v Gillingham (3665455)

Tom Eaves and Brandon Hanlan will play upfront against the Saddlers with Josh Parker playing at the tip of a midfield diamond.

Walsall make one change to their midweek team, with Kieron Morris replacing Zeli Ismail on the wing.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Garmston, Zakuani, Ehmer, Bingham, Byrne, Charles-Cook, Parker, Eaves, Hanlan.

Subs: Lacey, Wilkinson, Fuller, Reilly, Nasseri, Stevenson, Hadler.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Dobson, Guthrie, Devlin, Morris, Cook, Ginnelly, Ferrier, Fitzwater, Osbourne.

Subs: Dunn, Kinsella, Kouhyar, Sangha, Candlin, Wilson, Gordon.

Gabriel Zakuani back in the side for Gillingham's game at Walsall Picture: Ady Kerry
Gabriel Zakuani back in the side for Gillingham's game at Walsall Picture: Ady Kerry

Preview;

Gillingham and Walsall will both be full of confidence ahead of this weekend’s clash.

While the Gills have been impressing with their attacking football in their first three games, Walsall have been doing likewise.

It's a game between two of the division's unfancied teams.

Josh Parker challenges with Millwall's Shane Ferguson on Tuesday night Picture: Ady Kerry
Josh Parker challenges with Millwall's Shane Ferguson on Tuesday night Picture: Ady Kerry

Walsall’s new signings Andy Cook, Zeli Ismail, Josh Ginnelly and Morgan Ferrier have all helped to get their season off to a flyer and all have found the net.

Both sides are unbeaten and both will fancy their chances this weekend.

Head to head;

Gills wins: 47 Draws: 24 Walsall wins: 43

League form;

Gills (4th, WW): Burton Albion (h) 3-1, Accrington (a) 2-0

Walsall (7th, DW): Scunthorpe (a) 1-1, Plymouth (h) 2-1

Last meeting at the Bescot Stadium;

Walsall 0 Gillingham 1

Gillingham’s Conor Wilkinson celebrates scoring on the last visit to Walsall Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham’s Conor Wilkinson celebrates scoring on the last visit to Walsall Picture: Ady Kerry

Gillingham enjoyed good form away from home last season, during Steve Lovell’s reign, and picked up maximum points from their trip to Walsall.

It was Gills’ third away win in a row, following victories at Rotherham and Peterborough, and was the first game for Lovell since being handed the job on a permanent basis.

Conor Wilkinson scored the crucial goal, just before the half-time interval, after Walsall had failed to make the most of their early dominance.

Gillingham had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men, following the dismissal of defender Max Ehmer for picking up two yellow cards, but fought bravely to see out the game.

Last game out;

Millwall 0 Gillingham 0 (Millwall win 3-1 on penalties)

Regan Charles-Cook reacts at defeat in the penalty shoot out against Millwall Picture: Ady Kerry
Regan Charles-Cook reacts at defeat in the penalty shoot out against Millwall Picture: Ady Kerry

Gillingham managed to hold Championship side Millwall to a goalless draw over 90 minutes on Tuesday, before crashing out of the Carabao Cup on penalties.

The Gills were second best during the opening half at the Den, reliant on keeper Tomas Holy to keep them level, but gave Millwall a run for their money after the break.

Both Regan Charles-Cook and Brandon Hanlan had one on one chances, while Tom Eaves had a good chance blocked, but when the game ended goalless Millwall showed their superiority from 12 yards.

The Lions won the shootout 3-1 as Mark Byrne and Hanlan had penalties saved while Josh Parker put his effort well over. Luke O’Neill was the only man to convert for the Gills.

Click here to see a selection of pictures from Ady Kerry

Reaction from Gills boss Steve Lovell after their cup exit.

Team news;

Gills' rested players watch from the stands at Millwall Picture: Ady Kerry
Gills' rested players watch from the stands at Millwall Picture: Ady Kerry

Gabriel Zakuani and Billy Bingham are expected to be back involved this weekend.

Both sat out Tuesday night’s League Cup game at Millwall.

Dean Parrett is likely to be missing, however, after picking up a hamstring in last Saturday’s win over Burton Albion.

Conor Wilkinson (thigh) is back in contention, making an appearance off the bench in the week, after recovering from injury.

Elliott List (shoulder), meanwhile, is closing in on a return, as is Josh Rees (ankle).

From the opposition camp;

Walsall are unbeaten in their first three games, winning 3-1 at Tranmere in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

That win follows a draw against Scunthorpe and an opening day victory over Plymouth in League 1, the Saddlers impressing in all three games with some impressive attacking play.

Former Wrexham manager Dean Keates now in charge at Walsall Picture: Andy Jones
Former Wrexham manager Dean Keates now in charge at Walsall Picture: Andy Jones

It’s a promising start for a club, like the Gills, who many expected to struggle this season.

Summer signing Morgan Ferrier scored his first for the club in the week while pacey wingers Josh Ginnelly and Zeli Ismail also netted.

Ferrier, who joined from Boreham Wood, was unlucky not to have scored against Scunthorpe last Saturday, in a game Walsall should have won, but put them ahead in the week.

Walsall boss Dean Keates, speaking after their 3-1 win, said: “We broke well in the second half and we broke at pace. We scored a good couple of goals but we would have liked to have made it more easier for ourselves. We had a lot of chances and didn't really kill them off.

“It's still early days, we are happy with the performance and we'll get ready for Saturday now.”

One to watch - Andy Cook;

Striker Andy Cook in action for former club Tranmere Rovers, at Dover Picture: Tony Flashman
Striker Andy Cook in action for former club Tranmere Rovers, at Dover Picture: Tony Flashman

One of boss Dean Keates’ summer signings, the striker joined from National League side Tranmere Rovers, where he scored 51 goals in 89 games.

The 27-year-old made an immediate impact for Walsall in the summer, scoring twice in their 2-0 win over Dutch side Ajax in a friendly.

He got the season off to a flyer with Walsall’s equaliser against Plymouth on the opening weekend, scoring his first Football League goal. Only the woodwork denied him a second.

It’s a newlook strike force for Walsall this season, with Cook joining fellow newcomer Morgan Ferrier up top, another signing from the National League.

Cook said: “We both have different styles and I think we complement each other. We have played against each other a few times and he always caught my eye.

“He is big, strong and gets at people. He is quick as well so hopefully he will gamble on some of my flick-ons and we’ll get success that way.”

More on the Gills;

Lovell buoyant after Cup performance

Column: New signing can't wait to get involved

Boss delighted by youngster’s impact

Tom Eaves upbeat despite cup loss

Man in the middle - Trevor Kettle;

Games 2018/19: 2, Yellows: 4, Reds: 0

Referee Trevor Kettle at Stadium MK last season Picture: Ady Kerry
Referee Trevor Kettle at Stadium MK last season Picture: Ady Kerry

Former boss Ady Pennock received an apology from referee Trevor Kettle after his last game in charge of the Gills, almost exactly year ago.

Mr Kettle awarded MK Dons a dubious looking penalty and denied the Gills one when Max Ehmer was fouled in the box. He did, however, award the Gills one spot kick but Josh Wright smashed it over the bar.

Walsall fans won’t be keen to see Mr Kettle in charge either, with memories of the red card he handed to Joe Edwards after just 16 minutes against Bolton, a game they still managed to win 1-0.

The Rutland official started the season with a League 2 fixture at Port Vale, booking former Gills man and current Cambridge United player Emmanuel Osadebe.

Assistants: Stephen Wade and Alix Pashley / Fourth Official: Rob Smith

Fancy a punt?

Walsall are the 23/20 favourites to win Saturday’s game with Sky Bet. The Gills are priced at 5/2 and it’s 9/4 for the draw. Both teams have shown plenty of attacking intent at the start of the season and it’s 5/6 for both to score.

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