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

This game has significance at both ends of the League Two table as Gillingham are battling against relegation to the National League and Bradford are pushing for promotion.

Match preview

Neil Harris's Gillingham have been in a relegation battle for most of the season and the Kent outfit were in the bottom two for 10 games between November and February.

The Gills' recent form has eased their relegation worries with the side having recorded four wins in their last five matches, including three wins in a row ahead of the game on Tuesday.

Gillingham have also won their last four matches at Priestfield and beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 last time out on Saturday.

A fifth victory in six matches for Harris's side on Tuesday night and a fifth consecutive win in front of their own fans could move them 10 points clear of the relegation zone and would mean that they can start focusing on consolidating their position in mid-table.

Despite their positive recent form Gillingham have struggled to score goals all season - their tally of 21 in 30 games is the lowest in League Two.

Tom Nichols has been Gillingham's main attacking threat this season - his five goals and nine assists have been key in keeping the Gills' head above water.

The Gills will need Nichols and his fellow attackers to increase their attacking output between now and the end of the season if they are to remain clear of danger, with Nichols eyeing double figures in goals and assists in the league.

Mark Hughes's Bradford are firmly in the hunt for promotion to League One with the Bantams currently just outside the playoff places in eighth place.

City are currently unbeaten in their last four away games and have won their last two matches on the road, with their last outing being a 1-0 win at local rivals Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

A third consecutive away win on Tuesday night will take the Bantams into the top seven and would keep the pressure on the teams above them in the automatic promotion places.

Andy Cook's 17 league goals and four assists have been crucial to City's promotion charge and another for the striker on Tuesday night would put him on course to win the League Two Golden Boot.

Tuesday's fixture will be the first time the sides have played each since the 2018-19 season. The last meeting at Priestfield was a 4-0 victory for Gillingham, which is their biggest-ever league win over the Bantams.

Gillingham League Two form:

D

W

L

W

W

W

Bradford City League Two form:

D

D

W

W

L

W

Team News

Gillingham have a clean bill of health ahead of Tuesday night's fixture, so Neil Harris is able to name the same 11 that have performed well in recent matches.

Oliver Hawkins will partner Nichols upfront in the Gills' 4-4-2 system with Dominic Jefferies and Alex MacDonald providing support for the strikers from the flanks.

Conor Masterson will partner Saturday's goalscorer Max Ehmer at the heart of Gillingham's defence.

Bradford will be without left-winger Jamie Walker against Gillingham as he is struggling with a knee injury.

West Ham United loanee Thierry Nevers will play in place of Walker and will be charged with providing support for Cook in City's attack.

Richard Smallwood and Adam Clayton will protect the back four in Mark Hughes's 4-2-3-1 formation.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Morris; Alexander, Masterson, Ehmer, Tutonda; Jefferies, Dieng, Lapslie, MacDonald; Nichols, Hawkins

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Platt, Stubbs, Ridehalgh, Halliday; Smallwood, Clayton; Gilliead, Costelloe, Nevers; Cook

We say: Gillingham 1-2 Bradford City

Promotion-chasing Bradford will be confident of gaining another three points on the road against their relegation-threatened hosts.

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