Despite having gone 32 games since last seeing their side win on their travels, Gills fans remain confident they have what it takes to beat the league leaders Port Vale on their own patch.

Here's what our panel have to say:

ALEX SARSON

(Wellingborough)

The major problem right now is that expectations are still high. Playoffs are a minimum achievement for the end of the season but chairman Paul Scally said it all, anything but automatic promotion is failure.

With that in mind, away wins are a must and we’ve missed good opportunities to get them already. We come up against a good Port Vale side, managed by an ex-Gill in Micky Adams, who are more than capable of beating us.

Akinfenwa being a doubt is a major blow. His physical play and all-round nuisance that he creates is always a plus for our game.

Passion, spirit and effort are three things that will get us points out of the game.

Prediction: Vale 1 Gills 1

SAM LIVINGSTONE

(Pangbourne)

I can see this as being the first away win. Hess is taking them up on the day to change things around and all the players will be ready for a proper tussle. With Akinfenwa seemingly out, I can see Hess playing a 4-3-3 with Oli and Palms playing as wide attackers and then dropping back into midfield when Port Vale have the ball.

I think we will sneak this one in the last minute with Stefan Payne grabbing the winner as a substitute.

Although this may be blind optimism, I think Gills can get the three points. That will give the team real belief for the rest of the season so we can get promoted.

Prediction: Vale 1 Gills 2

PAUL BLAKELEY

(Maidstone)

I got lucky with the prediction last week and hopefully I’ll be right this week. We may have an appalling away run going but at least we’re heading up to Vale after a decent win. It was pleasing to see fringe players like Maher and Mark Mac do their bit – Mark could well step into Bayo’s boots if he’s not fit for the weekend. It’ll be interesting to see who Hess plumps for in the midfield. I suspect Bentley in for Weston. The back five picks itself really.

Prediction: Vale 0 Gills 2

ROBERT FIELDING

(Port Vale fan from onevalefan.co.uk)

After a perfect September that saw the Valiants record five straight wins and concede no goals, Micky Adams’ side have subsequently lost at Oxford, gone out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and scraped a scratchy draw against 10-man Hereford.

Vale’s away form has arguably been better than that at home, so the match against Gillingham will be a key indicator of the Valiants’ promotion chances.

While the likes of Gareth Owen and Adam Yates offer a solid barrier at the back, it is playmaker Gary Roberts who makes the team tick and striker Marc Richards who is invariably the match-winner.

Although Vale Park is something of a happy hunting ground for Gillingham, if Vale hit top form then it is likely to be an unhappy return to the Potteries for Andy Hessenthaler’s side.

Prediction: Vale 2 Gills 0

How do you think the Gills will fare? Have your say below.