Tranmere – Gillingham

Both Tranmere Rovers and Gillingham will look to get an edge in the relegation battle when the two meet in a balanced League One clash at Prenton Park. This should be an interesting encounter. Let`s get going with the preview.

Tranmere is sitting just above the relegation places in the 20th position. They are 2 points behind Gillingham, but they also have one game in hand. The hosts are in deep crisis at the moment, the last two games they played were blowouts with a combined score of 1-9. Tranmere`s defense is the second worst in the League One right now, with almost 2 goals per game conceded in average.

Gillingham is currently on the 17th place in the standings, 4 points above the relegation zone, but they do have an extra-game played. The visitors are in poor form lately, with a single win in the last 5 League One outings (3 losses, 1 draw), plus a humiliating FA Cup exist to minnows Brackley Town one month ago. The defence has been Gillingham`s main problem, as they have the third worst defense in the League One and have last time kept a clean sheet 9 matches ago – surely not good statistics for ‘Gills’. However, the visitors showed a clear improvement in a spirited 2-2 draw with strong Peterborough last round, and today the manager called for some more of that offensive movement that brought them a point against such a top side like Peterborough.

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Team news: Tranmere will be without Ian Goodison for this match, but they might also miss captain James Wallace, who is doubtful – the same for Andy Robinson. Gillingham will have to do without Hollands and Whelpdale, while Hessenthaler, Liganzi, Lee and Fagan are slightly doubtful but they should all be ready to at least hit the bench. Overall, the two sides should be relatively happy with their health status.

I reckon this game will go over 2,5 goals and a bet on a high scoring game could make for a solid return of investment at some interesting odds. Except Crewe, these two sides have the worst defensive records in the league. On the other hand they can both score, posting stats of well above 1 goal scored per game in average. The statistics speak for themselves: In Tranmere`s matches an average of 3.1 goals per contest is scored. For Gillingham, the average stands at 3.05 goals per game. Also, Tranmere scores and concedes more at home, while Gillingham does the same on the road, so the cards look to be on the table for a high scoring match today – which will be my tip. Indeed, the last 8 games between the two teams saw only 3 matches with 3 or more goals, but there was no direct meeting since 2010, and the last time Tranmere hosted Gillingham the game ended with a 4-2 win for the hosts.

I expect both sides to look for a hugely important win in the relegation battle. Surely Tranmere will have their chances at home (with the manager calling for an offensive display and a win at the press conference), but their woeful defensive form should allow an improving Gillingham side to score at least once, if not twice. Gillingham`s manager also urged his side to keep the offensive rhythm showed in the Peterborough game, so I am really confident that these two sides will find ways to score here. As I said, the odds for the over 2,5 goals bet look great. This could eventually end up a draw, so my pick is Tranmere Rovers – Gillingham 2-2.

Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.94 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.52
Event date: 20 December

Editor Facts

• Rostick has 4 won and 1 void in his last 5 tips