Sunderland v Gillingham
Tuesday 19th February 1945hrs
Football – England – League One
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Bet Victor
Odds: 9/10 (odds taken 21.10 GMT, Monday 18th February)
Sunderland were favourites to win the League One title following their relegation from the Championship last season, but they are in danger of missing out on automatic promotion and are desperate for three points when they face Gillingham at home on Tuesday.
League One Betting at Bet Victor
Sunderland Preview
Jack Ross was something of a surprise appointment when Sunderland looked to him to take over from Chris Coleman who was in charge of the Mackems last season. Ross had led St Mirren back to the Scottish top flight at the same time but was lured south with the prospect of managing what is a sleeping giant. Coming towards the business end of this season and whilst there’s no doubt that Sunderland have improved and looked more settled on and off the park, there is also going to be a disappointment that they are not higher in the table. They welcome Gillingham on Tuesday and come into that game in fourth spot – 12 points behind leaders Luton and six point adrift of Barnsley who occupy second and the other automatic promotion position. On the plus side they do have games in hand over the teams above them but their inability to turn draws into wins could yet be their undoing. Their total of 14 draws is the most in League One and Friday’s 2-2 draw with Accrington Stanley was yet another example of where they have to do better. Despite starting the game well, Sunderland were unable to find the opening goal and went behind only to come back strongly and recover from two goals down. With arguably the best squad in the league, they have to improve at both ends to get into the top two.
Gillingham Preview
Gillingham’s season is going as most would have expected to and similar to the past few years. Steve Lovell’s men are sitting towards the bottom end of the table and are just three points above the relegation zone as they prepare to make the long journey to Sunderland tomorrow. Lovell took over as manager last season and led them to safety and it looks very much as though he’s going to have to work even harder to ensure the club’s League One status for another season. Saturday’s win at home to Scunthorpe actually lifted them several places which indicates just how tight the battle for survival is in this division. It was also their first league victory in five matches and Lovell will hope that it’s a step in the right direction as his team search for some consistency. If their season to date is anything to go by – along with their recent history at this level – then it’s bound to be a struggle to the very end and games such as this one away to Sunderland would be seen as a bonus should they get anything from it.
Key-Facts – Sunderland v Gillingham
- Sunderland thumped Gillingham 4-1 when the teams last met in August
- Games involving Gillingham this season have an average goal rate of 2.97 – the third highest in the league
- Nine of Sunderland’s 16 home games have went over 2.5 goals
Sunderland v Gillingham Betting Preview
This is the sort of fixture that illustrates the demise of Sunderland in recent years and for all associated with the club, they will be hoping it’s the last time they are faced with such games for a long time. The last time the two teams met it was Jack Ross’ men who ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in what was one of their best performances of the season. Such dominant wins have been few and far between but the fact they’ve lost just twice in the league all season suggests they are on the right track under this manager but three points here is a must to pressure the teams above them.
No visiting team has won at the Stadium of Light in the league this season but it’s just one win in the last five attempts at home for Sunderland. Gillingham have picked up five wins on their travels and have scored the most away goals of any team in the bottom half of the table. Accrington exploited Sunderland on the break on numerous occasions in Friday’s match and the visitors carry just as much threat on the counter which suggests we may see goals again in this one. Games involving Gillingham have the third highest average goal rate in the league, whilst nine of Sunderland’s 16 home games have had three or more goals in them so that’s the selection on Tuesday.
