League Two
Friday 30th December 2011 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Hosts Dagenham & Redbridge take on a Gillingham side who are in-form right now and pushing through the play-offs for an automatic promotion place.
The Daggers are in real trouble currently as they sit in 22nd place just above the two relegation spots courtesy of a slightly better goal difference (by 2 goals). They’ve won only once in their last eleven league matches which was against fellow strugglers Barnet who have only won twice away from home all season.
Dagenham’s home record stands at 3-1-8 15/22, and a lack of a spearhead in attack is apparent as their leading scorer, striker Jon Nurse (4 goals), has not scored now in eight league matches and this might hurt them against a quality side like Gillingham. Christiano Montano (3 goals, 1 assist) has also chipped in and bagged a brace against Barnet on Boxing Day. Midfielder Gavin Tomlin (5 assists) and Damien McCrory (1 goal, 4 assists) have been their most creative outlets so far.
Gillingham make the trip to Essex on the back of a great 2-1 away win at leaders Crawley Town on Boxing Day which has now lifted them into the top seven and play-off reckoning. The Gills are also unbeaten in their last six which includes wins over Northampton Town, Aldershot Town, Bristol Rovers and of course Crawley.
Their away record is currently 5-2-5 21/19, and I sense that they feel they have a real opportunity to make in-roads into the points gap of the top three teams. They also score plenty of goals and are behind only to Crawley (45) and Port Vale (40) in terms of total goal tally, with forwards Danny Kedwell (8 goals) and Jo Kuffour (7 goals) combining well up front, along with winger Chris Whelpdale (4 goals, 3 assists) although he may well have to sit this one out due to a horrific injury sustained against Crawley
Danny Jackman (2 goals, 6 assists) and Luke Rooney (3 goals, 4 assists) have also contributed and are dangerous attacking personnel.
I think Dagenham could score here, but I’m confident Gillingham will score at least one more; 2-1 to The Gills.
Main Pick: Gillingham straight win @ 2.15 Sportingbet
Value Pick: Gillingham AH-1 @ 3.24 Pinnacle
