Cheltenham vs Gillingham Predictions

• This is the third cup meeting between Cheltenham and Gillingham this season, with the previous two both finishing 1-1 in Kent.
• Cheltenham’s only home defeats in League One came to Rotherham and Wycombe, who sit 3^rd and 4^th respectively.
• Cheltenham’s match at AFC Wimbledon was postponed last weekend, while Gillingham required a mammoth defensive effort to earn a draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

Draw Specialists Meet Again

Cheltenham and Gillingham are both competing for survival in the third tier, and meet for the third time this season on Tuesday night. Even more remarkably, the two sides’ first league meeting isn’t until next week; this is the third cup clash between the two, who have already shared 1-1 draws in both the Carabao and FA Cups. Cheltenham required penalties to decide a typically tight affair back in August, but surrendered a 1-0 lead in the original FA Cup tie at Priestfield.

With Cheltenham having drawn their last 4 competitive matches, and Gillingham their last 3, we should expect a cagey affair between League One’s draw specialists.

Rested Cheltenham can Break run of Stalemates

While the draw might seem an obvious play for this meeting, the difference between their weekend excursions might prove decisive. Cheltenham were afforded a rare Saturday off, with international call-ups forcing the postponement of their trip to AFC Wimbledon.

The Gulls, meanwhile, needed a monumental defensive effort to hold Sheffield Wednesday to a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough, enjoying just 33% of the possession and facing 22 shots on their goal. Gillingham boss Steve Evans was also left ruing injuries to goalscorer Vadaine Oliver and captain Kyle Dempsey.

With all of that in mind, the hosts, whose only home league defeats have come against teams who played Championship football last year, should be considered good value to eliminate Gillingham from a second cup competition this season. Gillingham will, as ever, look to keep it tight, making a 1-0 home win look a good correct score prediction.