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Gillingham
League One
Aug 22, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Wigan logo

2-0

Dack (37', 82' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Gillingham vs. Wigan Athletic

Sports Mole previews the League Two encounter between Gillingham and Wigan Athletic at the Priestfield Stadium.

Gillingham could claim top spot in League One with a victory over Wigan Athletic at the Priestfield Stadium.

However, they host a Wigan side who rediscovered their winning touch in midweek and will hope to kick-start their own bid for promotion.


Gillingham

Newport manager Justin Edinburgh looks on prior to the Sky Bet League Two match between Newport County AFC and Chesterfield at Rodney Parade on December 01, 2013© Getty Images

Justin Edinburgh's appointment as Gills boss in the latter part of last season sparked an upturn in form for the Kent club, who had been flirting with the drop to League Two.

Gillingham finished last term as one of the form teams in the third tier, having lost only one of their final six games in 2014-15.

Edinburgh's men started this season in a similar vein when Emmanuel Osadebe scored on his senior debut as the club thumped Sheffield United 4-0 at the Priestfield.

The Gills also picked up a victory away to Plymouth Argyle in the League Cup, but were denied three points by Louis Dodds's goal for Port Vale in a 1-1 draw last weekend.

Gillingham did return to winning ways at Valley Parade against Bradford City, in a game which saw Bantams player James Hanson score at both ends, including the Gills' winner.

The Kent side may hope that Bradley Dack can add to his two league goals this season to help them to register a fourth win in five games against Wigan.

Recent form: LWWWDW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWDW


Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic captain Gary Caldwell slumps to the ground after missing the first penalty of the FA Cup semi-final shootout against Arsenal at Wembley on April 12, 2014© Getty Images

Wigan know that a win against the Gills could propel Gary Caldwell's men into the top six, but Latics fans may hope that the club have at least put a miserable run of results behind them.

They opened their League One campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Coventry City, thanks to Adam Armstrong's brace at the Ricoh Arena, but things would get worse days later.

Wigan threw away a lead in their Capital One Cup tie with newly-promoted Bury, including an 89th-minute Leon Clarke penalty at the DW Stadium.

The 2012 FA Cup winners at least managed to arrest their losing start to the season with a goalless draw against Doncaster Rovers, but the club were still searching for a win, having only tasted victory once in their previous eight games to that point.

However, a 3-0 home triumph over Scunthorpe United will have done much to lift spirits around the Latics and their much-changed squad.

Not only did Wigan replace their manager and chairman towards the end of last season, but over the summer, several new faces came into the squad.

With signings Donveron Daniels and Craig Davies scoring their first goals for Athletic in the victory over the Irons, and fellow new recruit Will Grigg netting from the penalty spot, Caldwell will hope that his team have finally got their promotion bid up and running.

Recent form: LLLLDW
Recent form (all competitions): WLLLDW


Team News

Doug Loft of Port Vale celebrates with team mate Ben Williamson #19 after scoring his sides 1st goal during the Sky Bet League One match between Coventry City and Port Vale at Sixfields on March 16, 2014© Getty Images

Justin Edinburgh may have to decide whether to risk fielding Doug Loft, as the midfielder was unable to feature in the victory at Bradford.

The Gills were without Osadebe and Cody McDonald through injury at Valley Parade last time out and they may miss out again, unless they can prove their fitness.

Gary Caldwell may consider naming an unchanged side after Daniels and Davies came into the team against Scunthorpe and scored.

Will Grigg, who netted his first Wigan goal from the penalty spot, is also likely to continue in attack for the Latics.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Nelson; Jackson, Egan, Oshilaja, Dickenson; Wright, Houghton, Hessenthaler, Dack; Norris, Donnelly

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell; James, Perkins, Daniels, Morgan; McCann, Jacobs, Kenny, Francisco; Grigg, Davies


Head To Head

Wigan's record against the Gills is somewhat mixed, having won 13 and lost 13 of the previous 32 meetings between the sides.

The Latics lost at the Priestfield on their last visit in February 2005 when a Darius Henderson brace briefly derailed an otherwise successful bid for promotion to the Premier League.

A 3-0 win during the previous season was the Lancashire club's only win away to the Kent outfit in nearly 10 years.

In that time, Gillingham also beat Wigan in a League One playoff semi-final before losing a dramatic Wembley final to Manchester City, inspired by Nicky Weaver's display in a penalty shootout for City.


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We say: Gillingham 1-1 Wigan

While Wigan appear to have rediscovered their goal-scoring touch, Gillingham have become a tough side to beat recently and are yet to concede a goal at home. However, a score-draw could prove to be a good bet.



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A general view of the DW Stadium during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers at the DW Stadium on December 15, 2013
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