Preview: Stockport County vs. Gillingham - prediction, team news, lineups

The Hatters are well positioned on the heels of the heavily-contested playoff positions, while Neil Harris's side find themselves languishing at the foot of the League Two standings.

Match preview

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Gillingham emerged as victors, courtesy of a Cody McDonald hat-trick, in a 5-1 victory in January 2011.

After gaining promotion to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in the club's 139-year history, following winning the National League last season, Stockport County saw their match against Rochdale on Saturday called off due to a frozen pitch at the Crown Oil Arena.

Prior to the postponement, The Hatters claimed a 3-1 victory against Charlton Athletic on December 7 in their FA Cup second round replay after a sensational hat-trick from midfielder Will Collar. The notable win earned Stockport County a FA Cup third round tie against Walsall on the first full weekend in January.

Previous to their win against higher-league opposition, the Hatters had registered three victories in their last five matches, including a 5-0 hammering of Hartlepool United on December 3.

With eight victories and the same number of defeats in a so-far mixed campaign, Stockport County could move to within two points of the playoff positions with victory and if results go their way.

In contrast to their weekend hosts, Gillingham wrote a new chapter into their history books after suffering the heartbreak of relegation from League One at the end of last season.

After picking up only 14 points from a possible 60 on offer this season, Neil Harris's side were one of six sides to witness their respective matches called off last weekend, after temperatures in parts of the United Kingdom dropped below zero.

Gillingham registered a dramatic 3-2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in their FA Cup second round replay last Wednesday after on-loan Lincoln City attacking midfielder Hakeeb Adelakun netted the winner in the 95th minute.

The morale-boosting victory saw The Gills draw a glamorous home tie in the FA Cup third round against Premier League side Leicester City on January 8.

Before their success in England's oldest and most prestigious club competition, second-half goals from Theo Vassell, Ryan Watson and Callum Hendry were enough to succumb Gillingham to 3-0 home defeat against Salford City on December 3.

Yet to find out when their rearranged fixture against Bradford City from last weekend will take place, Harris will hope a week off will have benefited the Gills' dressing room ahead of their trip to Greater Manchester.

Stockport County League Two form:

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Stockport County form (all competitions):

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Gillingham League Two form:

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Gillingham form (all competitions):

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Team News

David Challinor could hand Phil Bardsley his Stockport County debut if the former Scotland defender can prove his fitness after a spell on the sidelines.

In addition to bringing the undeniable experience of Bardsley into the Hatters' dressing room until at least the end of the season, the veteran full-back has announced he will donate all of his salary to the club's community trust.

After scoring the first hat-trick of his professional career against Charlton, Will Collar is again expected to line up in a midfield five alongside Macauley Southam-Hales, Ryan Croasdale, Myles Hippolyte and Ryan Rydel.

After recording their first victory in four matches across all competitions, Gillingham could line up with the same starting XI against Dagenham & Redbridge.

If Neil Harris decides to name the same side, Hakeeb Adelakun will start in the number 10 position behind lone frontman Lewis Walker.

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Bardsley, Horsfall, Johnson; Southam-Hales, Collar, Croasdale, Hippolyte, Rydel; Wootton, Madden

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Stockport County 3-1 Gillingham

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