Gillingham vs Accrington Stanley Predictions

The Gills were heavily beaten at the weekend, though they did go up against Championship opposition, so Steve Lovell’s men may not be feeling too disheartened. Now back in calmer waters, the Kent Club will be looking to resume winning ways.

Gillingham were embarrassed by Walsall when last in action in League One, while things didn’t get much better at the weekend either. Defending continues to be a big problem for Steve Lovell’s side, and given the way things have gone for several managers at this level, it is something of a surprise that the Welshman is still in charge at Priestfield.

Going forward, the Gills can compete. They’re not the most creative side, but they’re useful on the break and, with the free-scoring target-man that is Tom Eaves leading their line, can hurt teams when being direct too. That said, any offensive headway that they’ve made of late has tended to be undone rather rapidly by a lack of solidity at the back, as the fact that they’ve been outscored in each of their last four league matches suggests. Worryingly, Gillingham’s last five expected-goals against figures read: 1.45, 2.39, 1.37, 1.9 and 1.77. Three of those poor showings have come at this venue.

Fortunately for the hosts, Accrington have been giving lots away on their travels. John Coleman’s men put up a spirited display against Championship side Derby in the FA Cup on Saturday, so much so that they were very unlucky to lose, though they’ve found life tough away from home in League One of late.

Tuesday’s visitors have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven on the road, while their last five expected-goals against figures read: 1.97, 1.43, 2.85, 2.41 and 0.55. Barring a useful defensive display against Rochdale back in November, it’s fair to say that Accrington have been very easy to create against. The visitors aren’t the worst side going forward, while they will be buoyed by Gillingham’s recent defensive efforts, though their own defensive deficiencies mean that it’s easy to see them coming up short at the back.

Given the numbers above, coupled with the fact that both teams will undoubtedly be targeting this as a match to do well in offensively, ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ looks overpriced. Both are struggling to keep things tight at the back, both rank poorly in terms of expected goals against and shots on target against, while both have made a habit of being involved in high-scoring matches in their respective home and away games of late. Quite frankly, getting behind a high-scoring encounter at the current prices is a must, as it looks for all to see that the Priestfield crowd will witness numerous goals on Tuesday evening.