Gillingham v Shrewsbury Betting Preview

League One odds and tips as play-off chasers Gillingham host midtable Shrewsbury on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts have been in solid form recently, which has seen them shoot up the table and set up half a chance of a top-six finish ahead of the run-in, but they come into this fixture looking to bounce back from a poor 4-1 defeat at play-off rivals Blackpool on Easter Monday, in which they were ultimately second-best to the in-form Tangerines. Still, Steve Evans' Gills approach the final stretch just four points adrift of sixth-place, although having played up to three games more than some of the sides around them they probably can't afford any slip-ups if they're to upset the odds and sneak it.

Gillingham's recent at Priestfield this season leave something to be desired, with wins in fewer than half of their home games (nine of 20), but they've rectified that in recent weeks, taking 13 points from the last 15 on offer.

Shrewsbury, meanwhile, responded to the disappointment of Good Friday's narrow 1-0 defeat at Northampton with one of their best performances and results in months; a solid, hard-fought 3-0 victory over Plymouth, with all three goals coming in the second half, but reflecting their dominance: they only had 43% possession but registered 16 attempts to the vistors' three, and five shots on target to their solitary one. They'll be looking to replicate that here, while two wins from the last four matches and a 12-point lead over the relegation zone and up to three games in hand on the chasing pack has their third-tier status secure for another season.

Matches between these two sides have tended to be competitive, hard-fought affairs in recent seasons, with four draws and one win apiece from the last six meetings. A 94th-minute equaliser from Jordan Graham saw Gillingham leave Shrewsbury with a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture back in October.

Gillingham's defence was unusually porous at Blackpool last time out, so Steve Evans may respond by making changes here, but Jack Bonham should remain between the sticks, with Robbie Cundy potentially in line to slot in alongside Jack Tucker in the centre of defence, with Connor Ogilvie an option to move out to left-back.

But expect the hosts to line up in their usual shape and style - 4-4-2 - with Vadaine Oliver partnering John Akinde up top, with Jordan Graham providing a further goal threat from out on the right-wing, having struck 11 goals so far this season.

But Oliver remains the hosts' most potent goalscorer, up to 14 goals for the campaign and in sensational form in recent weeks - nine of those 14 goals have come in his last 10 appearances.

Defensive midfielder Callum Slattery remains sidelined.

Influential Grenadian centre-half Aaron Pierre has been out of action for the past two months but made his return to Shrewsbury's backline in last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Northampton. He offers another option, but the visitors are likely to keep the faith in the three-man backline that reduced Plymouth to three attempts and one shot on target last time out, with Ethan Ebanks-Landell alongside Everton loanee Matthew Pennington and Ro-Shaun Williams and Matija Sarkic between the sticks.

Shaun Whalley will be among the first names on the teamsheet after scoring twice in the win over Plymouth, making him their top scorer with eight goals this season, while left-wing Nathaniel Ogbeta capped off the scoring with the third goal. Six-goal striker Harry Chapman offers an alternative option up top but may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

No, the Gillingham v Shrewsbury match match isn't being shown live on UK television, but updates will be available via Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News. The match will also be available to stream for a fee via each club's iFollow provider. It’s a 15:00 kick-off on Saturday, April 10.