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

The visitors, meanwhile, have moved eight points clear of the relegation zone by enjoying an excellent run of form in recent weeks.

Match preview

Having entered their first season in the Football League in 12 years as most bookmakers' favourites to win the League Two title, it took some time for Dave Challinor's side to live up to their billing after enduring a slow start to the campaign.

However, five wins from their last seven matches has placed the Hatters inside the play-off spots ahead of hosting Gillingham this week, with a bit of pressure building on them to secure a victory having only collected one point from their last two matches.

Indeed, Doncaster Rovers proved a tough obstacle for Stockport to overcome on Saturday, as they showed their opponents plenty of respect by sitting off the ball and looking to sporadically counter-attack. As such, it was little surprise to see an uneventful affair ultimately finished goalless.

With Carlisle United and Stevenage Town both within six points of Stockport within the automatic promotion spots, there is still everything to play for at this stage of the season, as Challinor looks to take the club back to the third tier for the first time since they were relegated in 2010.

Gillingham, of course, were competing at that level just last season, but they looked on the brink of suffering successive relegations after going 12 matches without a win earlier this season.

However, Neil Harris has slowly managed to turn the tide at Priestfield Stadium, with his side winning six of their last 10 league matches to pull considerably clear of the bottom two.

Like their forthcoming opponents, Gills have only earned one point from their last two matches, after also drawing 0-0 away to one of their relegation rivals Harrogate Town on Saturday. Harris predominantly had his goalkeeper Glenn Morris to thank for avoiding defeat, with the 39-year-old making eight saves across the course of the encounter.

While they will head to Greater Manchester as heavy underdogs to avoid defeat on Tuesday, the former Millwall boss will have the utmost confidence that his players can deliver for him once again as they aim to move at least nine points clear of danger with a positive result.

Stockport County League Two form:

W

W

W

W

L

D

Gillingham League Two form:

L

W

W

W

L

D

Team News

Stockport could reintegrate Paddy Madden to their starting XI on Tuesday, after the 33-year-old made his first appearance in a month as a second half substitute against Doncaster at the weekend.

Madden, who has a wealth of experience when it comes to scoring goals at this level, will likely partner Kyle Wooton in attack, with the pair scoring 20 league goals between them so far this season.

Gillingham, meanwhile, are likely to remain without Lewis Walker, Scott Kashket and Elkan Baggott due to injury. Walker will miss the rest of the season with a knee problem, wile Kashket and Baggott have been suffering with groin and ankle issues respectively.

As such, providing he has no concerns regarding his players' energy levels, Harris may see no reason to change the team that claimed a respectable point on the road away to Harrogate last time out.

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchiffe; Wright, Horsfall, Hussey; Knoyle, Collar, Sarcevic, Davenport, Rydel; Madden, Wooton

Gillingham possible starting lineup:

Morris; Alexander, Masterson, Ehmer, Tutonda; Dieng, Williams, Lapslie, O'Brien; Hawkins, Nichols

We say: Stockport County 1-0 Gillingham

With Gillingham much improved since the turn of the year, this match is likely to be a tight one, especially after both teams were involved in goalless draws at the weekend.

However, Stockport are a serious force under Challinor, and they will be determined to make up ground on the automatic promotion positions after dropping points in each of their last two games. We expect them to claim a narrow victory.

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