Our panel of Gills fans are predicting an away win at Burton Albion
Published: 08:00, 18 March 2011
Cody McDonald scores against Accrington Picture: Barry Goodwin
Our panel of Gills fans see Saturday's match at Burton going just one way - and that's an away win. From a Burton perspective, our guest fan is predicting a narrow victory for Albion.
Warren Lightfoot
(Lydden)
"The Gills should be too strong for Burton. Cody McDonald is scoring again, the return of Andy Barcham is making a huge difference to our attacking options and Curtis Weston is starting to rediscover the form that made him so dangerous at the beginning of last season.
"So with Bayo and Cody, the Gills have enough attacking options to worry most defences in this league."
Prediction: Burton 0 Gills 3
Paul Blakeley
(Maidstone)
"With the Gills sitting sixth in the league, this game is a great opportunity to push on for an automatic promotion slot.
"Results elsewhere have been fairly kind to us this season and even though we still have a game over most of our rivals, the points gap is still within our reach.
"Burton seem to be struggling to pull themselves away from the bottom, although the many games in hand they have could be a hindrance or a help. We should go there confident and hopefully get the three points.
"The team has settled down recently with less chopping and changing and that’s helped our unbeaten run. Barcham (pictured) will be important in the final run-in and there were signs against Accrington that he was finding some form. If he can fire and we get the ball down and play, I think we can look forward to a decent end of the season."
Prediction: Burton 0 Gills 1
Sam Livingstone
(Pangbourne)
"This is a critical game for the Gills, as they all are this close to the end of the season. If we can win, then we will make up further ground on the top teams as they are all playing each other and it would provide an excellent springboard for the rest of the season.
"Burton are not having a good season and, after their defeat on Tuesday, they will be low on morale so it is pivotal that we take the game to them and try and win this game as a point will not suffice. We are rapidly being caught up by teams below us who have a few games in hand, so we need to try and stretch the gap between us and them.
"I think we will win comfortably as we are playing with a lot of confidence. With Barcham back on form, I think that he will be key as he offers us natural width. We also need Cody to have his shooting boots on and not to miss any more sitters!
"Winnal to score for Burton. Two for Cody and one each for Barcham and Lawrence."
Prediction: Burton 1 Gills 4
Richard Pepper
Manston
"Due to our awful first half season form and the number of draws of late only wins will now do, home or away.
"This sort of game will never be easy but with the fine form that Weston and Barcham are finding, along with the threat of Akinfenwa (pictured) and McDonald, we should find our quality prevails.
"Our central defence pairing of Lawrence and Richards will have to maintain their recent form. In recent weeks our weakness down both flanks and with crosses into the area has been exposed.
"It would be great to see Chris Whelpdale return. If the loan can be arranged it will be interesting to see who Hess would drop to accommodate him, certainly not Weston or Barcham, so between Maher or Payne - food for thought!"
Prediction: Burton 1 Gills 2
Ian Hawkins
(Burton fan)
"Burton Albion will be looking for the sanctuary of home soil this weekend.
"Saturday marks the start of a run of five home matches from the next six fixtures on the back of a largely fruitless run of seven away games from the last nine.
"A shocking run of just 11 points from 17 away games is the reason Albion find themselves still looking over their shoulders.
"Gillingham fans will know how this sort of Jekyll and Hyde form can be, given their run of away games without victory which cost them their League 1 status last term"
"With Albion’s driving force in midfield, skipper John McGrath, hopefully back after illness I think Albion may nick this one."
Prediction: Burton 2 Gills 1
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