Prediction: Gillingham vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who will be looking to extend on their FA Cup adventures on Thursday night, Gillingham will host National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge.

Gillingham

Starting with the hosts, while Gillingham might have managed to find a much-needed boost throughout the opening weeks of October, Neil Harris’ men have really come crashing back down to earth. Last seen over the weekend putting in a nightmare display on home soil as they were blown away thanks to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Salford, it appears there is some real pressure on Harris’ shoulders. While the League Two outfit might have snatched a last-gasp equalizer away at Dagenham on November 26th, the Gills are in the midst of a four-match winless run across all formats. Remarkably without a single fourth-tier victory to their name since the start of October, Gillingham have also shown some rather glaring issues in the final third. In fact, it should be highlighted, Thursday’s hosts have bagged just a single strike on their four-match winless blip.

Team News

Recently returning to training following a long-term knee injury, 27-year-old Dave Tutonda could play some part on Thursday night.

However, Gillingham look set to once again be without the duo of Olly Lee and Callum Harriott here. Likewise, Harris is also sweating over the availability of Robbie McKenzie and defender Elkan Baggott in midweek.

Dagenham & Redbridge

As for the visitors, missing out on what they would have billed as a golden chance last weekend, there is no doubt that Dagenham & Redbridge will be looking to prove that was just a minor blip. Eventually getting hit with a shock 1-0 loss at home against Torquay, that result brought an end to their eye-catching six-match unbeaten run. However, with Daryl McMahon’s side continuing to gain plenty of praise from across the National League this season, they could be smelling the chance to finish off the job here. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak at Victoria Road on November 26th as they had to watch the Gills snatch a last-gasp equalizer in their 1-1 draw, the Daggers should be boosted by their continued success on the road. Last seen outside of Dagenham claiming a 3-0 romp against Solihull Moors, it should be noted that the fifth-tier outfit have lost just a single away fixture since October 1st.

Team News

Already bagging 16 goals between them so far this season, the duo of Junior Morias and Josh Walker should spearhead McMahon’s charge on Thursday night.

Despite suffering injury-time heartbreak in their meeting against Gillingham on November 26th, the Daggers should go with a similar starting XI here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at Victoria Road on November 26th, they played out a 1-1 draw.
• Gillingham have failed to win any of their previous four matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts have managed to muster just a single strike on that four-match winless run.
• Dagenham & Redbridge’s 1-0 loss against Torquay last weekend was their first defeat from their previous seven contests across all competitions.
• Five of Gillingham’s last six appearances across all formats have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Gillingham might have snatched a last-gasp equalizer when they made the trip to Victoria Road last month, the League Two strugglers could face another tough test here. Without a victory in any of their last four contests across all formats, Thursday’s hosts have shown some rather glaring issues in the final third. Bagging just a single strike on their four-match winless run, neutrals could be in for a cagey affair here. With Dagenham & Redbridge crashing back down to earth last weekend following their shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Torquay on home soil, McMahon’s side are desperate to prove that was just a minor blip. However, it should be noted, with Gillingham seeing five of their previous six appearances finish with under 2.5 goals, we’re backing a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet