Preston - Gillingham, English Division 1
2004-03-13 16.00 CET
Pick: Preston
Stake: 2%
Odds: 1,75
Final reason for bet
· Preston has made some good performances lately.
· Preston is a very good side playing at home.
· Preston has signed a premiership experienced midfielder.
· Gillingham injury problems make Preston’s fade in comparison.
· Gillingham has not performed well during 2004.
General comment about the game
On Saturday 10th placed Preston will host 19th placed Gillingham in the English division 1. Preston is chasing a playoff spot currently two points behind Millwall who has the last of these places. They have been in the promotion race all season but have slipped down the table lately since they only have managed one victory from their six latest games. However, four of them have been away and Preston is a totally different team playing at home than away. They have only lost two times at home since August and that has been to strong teams such as Wigan and Millwall. This amazing run makes them the third strongest home team in the league. In their last home game they played very good against fellow promotion chasers Reading. They were 1-0 up and absolutely controlling the game but found it hard to kill off the game, for example they hit the crossbar twice in first half after good performances. So when Reading equalised in the 82nd minute it looked as they once again would drop silly points. But striker David Healy was not satisfied and in the dying minutes he scored his second goal for the night and sealed a well deserved victory for the home team. Their last two games against Sunderland and Burnley have been away and both have ended in a draw. The Sunderland game was in midweek and Preston managed to come from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw. Also in the Burnley game, Preston came from behind since Burnley took advantage of some terrible defending by scoring the first goal. However, in form striker Ricardo Fuller got a penalty which Graham Alexander safely put in the net. Preston has unfortunately many players missing through injuries or suspension; defenders Chris Lucketti (30 apps), Marlon Broomes (22 apps) and Brian O’Neil (27(2) apps, 1 goal), midfielders Dickson Etuhu (15(8) apps, 3 goals) and Eddie Lewis (23(7) apps, 5 goals) and goalkeeper Jonathan Gould (29 apps). Furthermore, defender Claude Davis (11(6) apps, 1 goal) and midfielders Paul McKenna (29 apps, 2 goals) and Michael Keane (20(5) apps, 1 goal) will have late fitness test on Saturday. On the positive side is that they today have signed experienced midfielder Scot Gemmill from Everton. He will go straight into the team on Saturday. Also newly signed young defender John Smith is also in contention for his first start. Furthermore, defender/midfielder Lee Briscoe is fit after having to sit out all season so far because of injury.
Struggling Gillingham is involved in the relegation battle. They are currently five points above the drop zone. It is their form since New Year that has put them in this awkward situation; managing five defeats from eight matches. In last game they played against fellow relegation battlers Nottingham in a game ending with a 2-1 victory for the home team. It was Nottingham that started the game best and produced the better chances. Their dominance paid off in the 27th minute when Nottingham new boy Nick Barmby scored. However, this was a wake up call for Gillingham who started to perform much better. Just seven minutes after Nottingham’s goal equalised striker Patrick Agyemang. In the second half Gillingham managed to score the winner through Danny Spiller eight minutes before the end. Nottingham manager Joe Kinnear was furious after the game because he thought it was a much undeserved result and he also thought the referee was scandalous. Gillingham has major injury problems for the moment, even Preston’s concerns pale in comparison. They will most probably miss twelve senior players; Player manager Andrew Hessenthaler (19(6) apps, 1 goal) is missing through suspension. Defenders John Hills (24 apps, 1 goal), Ian Cox (26 apps, 0 goal), Chris Hope (28 apps, 2 goals) and David Perpetuini (20 apps, 2 goals), midfielders Nyron Nosworthy (27 apps, 2 goals) and Mark Saunders (18 apps, 1 goal) and strikers Tommy Johnson (15 apps, 3 goals) and Darius Henderson (4 apps, 0 goals) are all likely to be sidelined through injuries. Furthermore, the have major problems also in goal. On loan from Tottenham Lars Hirschfield has been recalled earlier this week and all other three keepers are injured. Fortunately, they have today re-signed goalkeeper Steve Banks from Wimbledon and he will go straight into the team on Saturday. Furthermore, midfielder Danny Spiller (20(6) apps, 4 goals) and striker Kevin James (9(5) apps, 1 goal) is rated 50/50 to make the trip to Preston.
This is a game between two teams plagued by injuries. However, we have a strong feeling that Preston will coupe with this situation best and therefore win this match. Preston has home advantage and also has much better firing power in their two top strikers Ricardo Fuller and David Healy. Furthermore, as stated above Preston’s injury worries pale in comparison and they have also signed a new good midfielder from the premiership. However, we keep the stake low at 2%.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-03-10 |
Sunderland-Preston |
3-3 |
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2004-03-06 |
Burnley-Preston |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-02 |
Preston-Reading |
2-1 |
|
2004-02-28 |
Ipswich-Preston |
2-0 |
|
2004-02-21 |
Preston-Millwall |
1-2 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-03-06 |
Gillingham-Nottingham |
2-1 |
|
2004-02-28 |
Crystal Palace-Gillingham |
1-0 |
|
2004-02-25 |
Nottingham-Gillingham |
0-0 |
|
2004-02-21 |
Gillingham-Reading |
0-1 |
|
2004-02-07 |
Burnley-Gillingham |
1-0 |
Home table
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Preston |
17 |
10 |
3 |
4 |
34-20 |
33 |
Away table
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Gillingham |
16 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
16-24 |
15 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 040312
