Preview: Gillingham vs. Cambridge United - prediction, team news, lineups

Cambridge United return to League One action on Tuesday evening following their FA Cup exit at the weekend, with a trip to relegation-threatened Gillingham up next for them.

The hosts were unfortunate to come away with nothing from their difficult game on Saturday, whilst the visitors will be looking to return to winning ways following the end of their cup run against Championship opposition.

Match preview

© Reuters

As mentioned above, Gillingham were arguably unlucky not to take anything from their trip to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The Gills put in another improved display under new boss Neil Harris, but despite striking the woodwork on two occasions, as well as enjoying their fair share of the opportunities created throughout the clash, they were downed 1-0 following Conor Chaplin's 74th minute goal for their hosts.

Despite the result, there were plenty of promising signs for Harris and his team to take out of the game, and after their 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra in his first game in charge last Tuesday, there remains plenty of reasons to be hopeful in their bid to avoid relegation from the third tier.

With none of the three sides directly above them in the table managing to pick up a win on Saturday either, Gillingham remained in 23rd place and eight points from safety following the conclusion of the weekend's action.

However, Doncaster Rovers' shock win at Sunderland pulled them level on points with the Gills at the foot of the table, so unless they can put in another strong performance and pick up a positive result in midweek, Harris could find his side rooted to last place come the end of play.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, Cambridge return to league action in a comfortable spot of 14th in the table, meaning their first season back in the third tier since 2002 continues to be a successful one.

Adding in the memorable FA Cup run as well, Mark Bonner's side have continued to impress many this campaign despite their relative drop off in recent weeks.

Fixture congestion has certainly played its part at the U's however, with Tuesday's trip to Gillingham being an incredible 11th game of 2022 already.

An exit from the EFL Trophy at Rotherham United in recent weeks, coupled with their FA Cup exit to Luton Town on Saturday, means that Bonner and his side can refocus on the end of their league campaign, and ensure that the current eight-point gap between themselves and the drop zone is not cut to a worrying level.

Should their current four-game winless streak across all competitions be extended much further, then momentum could be difficult to regain in the closing stages of the season, so Cambridge will be looking to get back on track as soon as possible, beginning with their trip to Gillingham on Tuesday.

Team News

© Reuters

Important midfielder Alex MacDonald continues to miss the rest of the season for Gillingham, whilst Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick could join him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after being stretchered off with a knee injury on Saturday.

Mustapha Carayol, Ben Reeves and Daniel Adshead will all need to be assessed ahead of the encounter following their recent injuries.

Charlie Kelman is an option to partner Vadaine Oliver up front in the absence of Lloyd-McGoldrick, but Harris could name an otherwise unchanged 11 following their impressive display at Ipswich.

As for the visitors, Bonner has no fresh injury concerns for the trip to Gillingham but does remain without several first-team players.

Lloyd Jones, Shilow Tracey and Joe Ironside remain absent through injury, and the trio are joined by Kai McKenzie-Lyle and Jensen Weir.

Jack Iredale is also struggling with an ankle injury so is a huge doubt to feature, whilst veteran Wes Hoolahan could drop out of the starting 11 after playing the full 90 minutes against Luton on Saturday.

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Masterson, Ehmer, Tucker; McKenzie, O'Keefe, Lee, Tutonda; Thompson; Oliver, Kelman

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Sherring, Dunk; O'Neil, Digby; Knibbs, May, Brophy; Smith

We say: Gillingham 1-1 Cambridge United

This looks to be a tight encounter on Tuesday evening, with Gillingham heading into it in higher spirits under their new boss and the visitors struggling slightly in recent weeks.

The visitors are perhaps suffering from a bit of tiredness due to their hectic schedule so far this year, and with a number of players missing as well, we are predicting the hosts to earn a point on Tuesday with the two sides cancelling each other out.

Previews by email