GILLINGHAM (A), MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Saturday 10 September 2016 - kick off 3:00pm
Gillingham missed out on the opportunity to move into second place in the League One table last Sunday when a late Billy Sharp penalty condemned them to a home defeat at the hands of Sheffield United in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Despite this minor set-back, Justin Edinburgh's men will still be looking to build on last season's encouraging campaign and try for another push for promotion.
Gillingham found themselves up in the top four for most of the 2015/2016 season but their form tailed off towards the end and they eventually missed out on a Play-Off spot by five points.
In an attempt to go at least one better this time around, Edinburgh seems to have invested wisely over the summer months, with recent recruits including experienced left back Paul Konchesky, former Bantams midfielder Billy Knott and explosive forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
The Gills also managed to keep hold of prize asset Bradley Dack as the summer transfer window slammed shut at the end of last month. Dack stood out as Gillingham's star performer last season with fifteen goals and eleven league assists.
Previous Meetings
Saturday's match at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium will City's seventh league encounter away to Gillingham in consecutive seasons.
Saturday's match at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium will City's seventh league encounter away to Gillingham in consecutive seasons.
The Bantams have visited Gillingham twenty-four times in total ahead of Saturday's fixture.
City have lost four of the previous six most recent meetings in Kent, including last season's 3-0 defeat to the Gills back in January.
Other defeats include a 3-1 loss on a sweltering opening day to the 2012/2013 season - a campaign which saw both Gillingham and City promoted up into League One.
Peter Jackson's first game in charge of the Bantams back in 2011 also came at Gillingham, the game ending in a 2-0 win for the hosts.
City's one win in this period came in the 13/14 campaign when an early Gary Jones corner deflected in off Garry Thompson for a 1-0 win.
The Bantams also drew 0-0 with Gillingham in 2011.
Team News
Gillingham
Scott Wagstaff could come back into Gillingham's squad for this Saturday after recently returning to training following a calf problem.
Bradley Dack could be missing for the weekend, however, as Gillingham look to finally rid the attacking midfielder of a troublesome knee problem.
Dack's workload on the training ground is being managed closely and Gills boss Justin Edinburgh said it is touch and go whether the 22 year-old features against City.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara could be set to step into Dack's role in the Gillingham side should last season's League One Player of the Year miss out.
Bradley Garmston and Aaron Morris (both knee) remain sidelined, while summer signing Lee Martin is a long-term absentee due to an ankle injury.
Bradford City
Bantams boss Stuart McCall could be in a position to welcome back a number of players into his squad for the match at Gillingham.
Josh Cullen is expected to travel after returning from international duty with the Republic of Ireland U21s. Deadline day loan signings Haris Vuckic and Marc McNulty are also in line to make the trip south for the game.
James Hanson will be assessed pre-match after making a return to full training on Thursday following a recent calf problem. Tony McMahon also made a return to training on Thursday but this Saturday's game is expected to come slightly too soon for the right back.
Rory McArdle is scheduled to feature for City's reserves at Hartlepool United next Tuesday after a summer spent recovering from shoulder and groin problems. Nathan Clarke (calf) is pencilled in for a return to training on Monday.
Ticket News
City supporters will be able to pay on the day at Gillingham this Saturday.
City's tickets for this fixture will be located in the Brian Moore Stand. The particular stand is UNCOVERED and therefore open to the elements.
Given that the traditional away stand within the MEMS Priestfield Stadium is uncovered, Gillingham have informed City that supporters can be provided with free ponchos and/or moved to the covered Gordon Road Stand if the weather on match-day becomes too inclement.
The Gordon Road Stand is located down one side of the pitch, next to the behind-the-goal Brian Moore Stand.
Match-day admission prices are as follows:
Adults/Senior Citizens - £18.00
Under 18s - £13.00
Under 12s - FOC (maximum of two per adult)
Additional U12 - £8.00
Disabled supporters will be asked to pay the relevant price to go with their age category.
Any disabled fan wishing to have a free carer ticket must be in receipt of DLA at the higher or middle rate, or PIP at the higher rate.
Any pre-paid tickets still to be picked up will be made available for collection at Gillingham on match-day.
Stadium address
Gillingham's full postal address for the MEMS Priestfield Stadium is:
Gillingham Football Club
MEMS Priesfield Stadium
Redfern Avenue
Gillingham
Kent
ME7 4DD
MEMS Priesfield Stadium
Redfern Avenue
Gillingham
Kent
ME7 4DD
Last time out
Sunday 4 September 2016
Gillingham 1 (Dack 34)
Sheffield United 2 (Freeman 65, Sharp pen 90+1)
Gillingham 1 (Dack 34)
Sheffield United 2 (Freeman 65, Sharp pen 90+1)
Gillingham (4-1-2-1-2): Bond, Jackson, Ehmer, Oshilaja, Konchesky, Wright, Byrne, Knott (Pask 46), Dack (O'Hara 77), Emmanuel-Thomas (Donnelly 77), McDonald
Subs not used: Nelson, Osadebe, Oldaker, List
Gillingham's league form: LWLDW
Match Referee: GRAHAM SCOTT
City kit colours: BLACK/AMBER/AMBER
Back the Bantams with Sky Bet
City supporters can back Stuart McCall's Bantams with Sky Bet when they play away at Gillingham this Saturday.
McCall's men are available with the EFL's title sponsors at 6/4 to pick up all three points against The Gills at the Priestfield Stadium. The draw is currently priced at 12/5.
The Bantams can be backed to win 1-0 at 7/1, while Marc McNulty is also currently at 6/1 to score the opening goal.
Fellow attacker Haris Vuckic is 3/1 to score at anytime throughout the match.
City fans can place their bets for the Gillingham fixture by clicking on the following link - www.skybet.com.
There are as many as 61 different betting options with Sky Bet for Saturday's game.
Please note, all odds are subject to change.
Coverage
For those unable to get to Gillingham this Saturday, City supporters can follow live updates from the Priestfield Stadium via the club's official Facebook and Twitter pages.
For those unable to get to Gillingham this Saturday, City supporters can follow live updates from the Priestfield Stadium via the club's official Facebook and Twitter pages.
Full audio match commentary of the Gillingham match can be found via Bantams Player HD. Join Pulse 2's Jason Thornton and Chris Cooper for match action and reaction from the game.
Bantams Player HD is also the place for post-match interviews from McCall and his players, plus extended match highlights over the weekend.
The official website, Twitter and Facebook pages will also have post-match reaction from the City camp at Gillingham.