Preview: Gillingham vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently inside the bottom of four on goal difference, while the visitors have ambitions at the other end of the table, and will want to cement their place in the playoff places.

Match preview

Gillingham finished 21st in League One last season, being relegated by goal difference alone, so they will have expected to fare far better in the fourth tier of English football than they have done so far, picking up just 14 points in 20 games.

In league action, the Gills have won just two games all season, both of which came at Priestfield Stadium in games that finished 1-0, the most recent of which dating back to an encounter with Sutton United at the beginning of October.

The most striking thing about the Kent-based side's league record is the fact that they have only managed six goals all season, an absolutely dismal record, with the nearest low scorers, Rochdale, managing to get eight more, with 14.

Striker Scott Kashket is tied with 20-year-old centre-back Elkan Baggott at the top of the scoring charts, both scoring twice in League Two this season, highlighting their woes in front of goal, which is the main reason why they are where they are in the standings.

In their last league match, it was more of the same for Neil Harris' side, turned over 3-0 at home by Salford City, with three second-half goals ensuring that they continue to occupy a place in the relegation zone.

However, there is some cause for optimism, based on Thursday night's performance, with Gillingham 3-2 winners against Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup, finding their shooting boots at last to set up a third round tie with Leicester City.

In contrast, Bradford have been buoyed by the appointment of former Premier League boss Mark Hughes, and they have made a solid start in his first full season as manager at the University of Bradford Stadium.

With a tally of 33 points, the Bantams are going strong in their quest to return to League One, currently inside the playoff places and aiming to hunt down third-placed Northampton Town.

Given their form on the road up to this point, Hughes' side will be relishing the trip to Kent this weekend, as they boast the fourth-best away record in the division, acquiring 19 points in their opening 10 fixtures.

While they enjoyed a near-perfect September, winning three and drawing one of their four fixtures, Bradford's form has somewhat dipped as of late, losing their last three in all competitions, although it is still too early to panic.

In fairness, these games have been tricky, losing to promotion-chasing Northampton at home, before an away defeat to Salford in the EFL Trophy, which is not a competition that is likely to of the most pressing concern for the Yorkshire club.

Last time out, the Bantams again faced a tough test, travelling to league leaders Leyton Orient, and they were on the receiving end of a 3-0 loss, courtesy of goals from Charlie Kelman, Tom James and Ruel Sotiriou.

Gillingham League Two form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Gillingham form (all competitions):

L

W

L

D

D

L

Bradford City League Two form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Bradford City form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

L

Team News

After securing their first win in five games last time out, the Gills should have little reason to tinker with a winning formula, and Harris is unlikely to make too many changes.

Left-back Dave Tutonda returned to the fray after a knee injury and completed 90 minutes against Dagenham in the last match, so he should keep his place in the backline, joining Will Wright, Elkan Baggott and Max Ehmer.

Hakeeb Adelakun struck a winner in injury time in the week, his first goal of the season, and he is likely to play just behind Lewis Walker in the Gillingham attack.

Top scorer Andy Cook is a sure-fire starter in attack for the Bantams, having scored 13 league goals this season, the joint-highest figure of any player in the division.

Jamie Walker is on the path to recovery from a knee injury, with Hughes bringing him on as a substitute in the last two games, and he could stake a claim for a starting place ahead of Harrison Chapman in midfield.

However, the Bradford boss will have to do without long-term absentee Emmanuel Osadebe, who has been missing since suffering a double leg break in the first game of the season.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Turner; Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Tutonda; Williams, Jefferies, Green, Adelakun, Reeves; Walker

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Odusina, Foulds; Smallwood, Gilliead, Banks, Chapman, Wright; Cook

We say: Gillingham 0-2 Bradford City

Despite an improved performance in the FA Cup on Thursday night, Gillingham should not pose too much of a threat to Bradford on Sunday. The Gills have real issues scoring goals, while the visitors have won two of their last three away matches in the league, and are much the superior side.

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