Match Day Thread Gillingham v Pompey

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Gillingham hope to have leading scorer Tom Eaves fit again for the visit of Sky Bet League One leaders Portsmouth on Boxing Day.

Striker Eaves, who has 14 league goals this season, sustained a thigh problem ahead of the 2-0 defeat at Charlton, but boss Steve Lovell indicated it was not expected to be a long-term issue.


Midfielder Callum Reilly could come back into the side after being sent on for the second half at The Valley following his return from a three-game suspension. Defender Max Ehmer remains sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, which is expected to keep him out until the new year.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett saw his side defeat promotion rivals Sunderland 3-1 on Saturday, when he had named an unchanged side. Ben Close, Andre Green and forward Brett Pitman are all options for Pompey, having come off the bench against the Black Cats.

Winger David Wheeler is fit again following his hamstring injury, but was not included in the match-day squad. Goalkeeper Luke McGee continues his recovery from a broken bone in his wrist.

Gillingham have won both of their last two league meetings with Portsmouth, as many as they had won in their previous 10 against them combined (W2 D2 L6).

This will be the third meeting between Gillingham and Portsmouth in all competitions already this season, with Gillingham winning the reverse league fixture 2-0 in October after Pompey had beaten the Gills 4-0 in the EFL Trophy in September.

Gillingham are winless in their last five home league games on Boxing Day (D2 L3) since a 2-1 win over Leyton Orient in 2006.

This will be Portsmouth's third visit to Gillingham on Boxing Day in the Football League, drawing 0-0 in 1977 and losing 2-0 in 2001 in the two previous such clashes.

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has lost five of his six visits to Gillingham as a manager in the Football League, although he did win the other 1-0 with Pompey in October 2017.

 

Match underway - cheers 3rd eye

 

Attempt blocked. Gareth Evans right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Cross from Lee Brown. 8th minute.

 

Pompey go close again. Jamal Lowe had his shirt pulled by a Gills defender, and Oli Hawkins put the loose ball wide, when perhaps he should have scored. 16th minute.

 

Jamal Lowe is hacked down by a Gills defender. Free kick to Pompey.

Yellow card to Byrne. 20th minute.

 

Attempt missed. Matthew Clarke header from the centre of the box misses to the left. 20th minute.

 

Attempt missed. Oliver Hawkins header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner. 23 minutes.

 

Attempt blocked. Ben Thompson right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 31st minute.

 

Attempt missed. Oliver Hawkins header from the centre of the box misses to the right. 31 minutes.

 

Foul by Oliver Hawkins (Portsmouth). 37th minute. First foul we have committed in the match !!

 

Brilliant runs by Jamal Lowe and Ronan Curtis, and Curtis goes close. 41st minute.

 

Oli Hawkins header cleared off the goal line