Preview: Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups

Dag & Red defeated Maidenhead United in the previous round to reach this stage, while the Gills overcame Fylde after a replay.

Match preview

Dag & Red have not reached the third round of the FA Cup since the last time they were competing in the Football League - in the 2015-16 campaign, when they were relegated from League Two after finishing second from bottom - making this weekend's tie against Gillingham an important one for them.

While their main aim this season will be sneaking into a National League play-off position, particularly after three successive wins has put them only one point outside of them, manager Daryl McMahon will be keen to embark on a cup run, particularly with the financial rewards it can bring to the club.

Indeed, it was only around five years ago that Dag & Red were on the brink of bankruptcy after becoming embroiled in a financial crisis, but they have steadied since and managed to retain their National League status.

After enjoying a nine-year stay in the Football League between 2007 and 2016 - even reaching League One in 2010 - McMahon will be hoping that this is the season the Daggers can push on, with testing themselves against a League Two opponent at Victoria Road on Saturday a potentially key step in their development.

Gillingam, meanwhile, are aiming to avoid a second successive relegation after enduring a difficult start to life in League Two under Neil Harris.

The 45-year-old could not save the Gills from falling into the Football League's bottom tier after being appointed as manager in January earlier this year, and they currently sit second from bottom in League Two after 19 matches.

However, they did manage to end a four match losing streak by claiming a point away to Crawley Town on Tuesday, which should boost their confidence ahead of the short trip to Dagenham on Saturday.

Harris will be keen to ensure that his players do not succumb to an upset, although with only 10 places between the two sides in the English footballing pyramid, there is likely to be little between the two teams on the day.

Dagenham & Redbridge FA Cup form:

W

Dagenham & Redbridge form (all competitions):

L

D

W

W

W

W

Gillingham FA Cup form:

D

W

Gillingham form (all competitions):

D

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Dag & Red are unlikely to make any changes from the side which dispatched Scunthorpe United 2-1 last weekend.

However, Jay Bird is pushing for a spot in the starting XI after scoring a late winner from the substitutes' bench.

Gillingham, meanwhile, could make a few changes given their precarious league position.

The likes of Scott Kashket, Ben Reeves and Alex MacDonald will be hoping for starts after appearing from the bench against Crawley in midweek.

Dagenham & Redbridge possible starting lineup:

Justham; Hare, Onariase, Taylor; Mussa, Robinson, Phipps, Sagaf; Weston, Morias, Walker

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Turner; Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, McKenzie; MacDonald, Williams, O'Keefe; Gbode, Kashket, Adelakun

We say: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 Gillingham

Given the contrasting form between these two sides, who are only one division apart, there may be very little splitting the two teams on the day.

As such, it would be no surprise to see a draw be the end result, with Gillingham potentially content to take their opponents back to Priestfield Stadium for a replay.

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