Fleetwood’s Recent Form

Fleetwood Town have opened the season with back-to-back 1-0 wins, both against Chesterfield. The first came in the Carabao Cup, where 37-year-old Ched Evans struck a first-half winner that proved decisive. Evans also found the net in the league match, making him the club’s most prolific scorer this season with six goals from the start of the campaign. The Cods’ head-to-head record against Gillingham stands at 10 wins to 4, with seven draws. Their latest encounter in March ended 1-1 after a last-gasp equaliser from Shaun Rooney cancelled out a Seb Palmer-Houlden strike.

Gillingham’s Challenges

Gillingham return from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Walsall, where they dominated the first 80 minutes but were unable to convert chances. The loss left the Gills with only two senior forwards, as Seb Palmer-Houlden departed for Motherwell on Wednesday. The squad will also miss Bradley Dack and Ethan Coleman, who are not travelling to Lancashire. Goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer will keep his gloves after extending his emergency loan from Sheffield Wednesday for another week. Skipper Liam Gordon is expected to sit out after a first-half injury in the Walsall match, with Logan Dobbs likely to start in his place.

Key Players

Fleetwood’s captain Ched Evans is the player to watch. Having previously played for Sheffield United, Chesterfield and Preston North End, Evans has already scored six goals this season and provided eight assists last year. He will pair with Will Davies, the former Sutton United striker who set up Evans’ recent goal with a cushioned header.

Gillingham’s James Brophy, 32, will be crucial for creating chances. After five seasons at Cambridge United and 250 appearances, Brophy has been deployed in a number 10 role this term. He created three chances in the opening-day defeat to Walsall and will need to get on the ball again to unlock Ronan Hale and Will Goodwin.

Likely Lineups

Fleetwood Town are expected to line up as Lynch; Rooney, Bennett, Potter; Neal; Cirino, Cannon, Helm, McCann; Evans, Davies. Gillingham may start Maynard-Brewer; Smith, Beckles, Dobbs; Freeman, Albarus, McKenzie, Harris; Brophy; Goodwin, Hale.

Match Details

The game will be played at Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood’s home ground since 1939. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 BST on Saturday, 22 August. The match is only available to watch outside the UK; domestic supporters can purchase audio passes through either club.