Gillingham vs Burton Albion. Sky Bet League One.
Priestfield StadiumAttendance5,016.
Friday 10 August 2018 16:40, UK
Gillingham midfielder Callum Reilly remains sidelined for the visit of former club Burton but is now only one week away from making his comeback.
Striker Tom Eaves could make his first start of the season after appearing off the bench against Accrington having shaken off an ankle problem. Conor Wilkinson, Elliott List and Alex Lacey have returned to training following spells in the treatment room but are unavailable against Burton.
"It is important for us to start well. All the games we started well in last year we went on and won," boss Steve Lovell said.
Burton midfielder Jamie Allen is a major doubt for the League One fixture because of a back injury that has limited his training this week. Defender Jake Buxton is also struggling because of a couple of unspecified knocks.
Boss Nigel Clough otherwise has a fully fit squad to select from, although some players are carrying niggles while still being available for selection. "Everybody is not quite fully fit but we are getting there and we are in a better position than we were two or three weeks ago," Clough said.
Of the previous eight league meetings between Gillingham and Burton, the Gills have won three times, while Burton have won four (D1).
Burton have won each of their last three league meetings against Gillingham, scoring eight goals and conceding three.
Gillingham have won their last two league games, as many as they'd won in their previous 16 (D7 L7).
Burton Albion have won just one of their last six away league games (D1 L4), against Sunderland in April.
Burton's Liam Boyce has scored three goals in his last five league games, after a run of 11 games without a goal for the Brewers.
