Coventry v Gillingham: Gills to spoil Ricoh homecoming

Coventry fans have sold out the Ricoh Arena on their return

Coventry fans finally have their stadium back, but Gillingham might enjoying playing there more than the Sky Blues...

Coventry v Gillingham
Friday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 2

Match Odds: Coventry 1.8810/11, Gillingham 4.77/2, The Draw 3.814/5

After being forced to play home games in Northampton for over a year, the delirium felt by Coventry fans on their Ricoh Arena return is shown by them selling out a televised Friday night encounter. By comparison, their average attendance on their last season there (2012/13) was a third of capacity.

However, the joy surrounding their homecoming (soured slightly by the officials responsible for the exodus cheerily plotting a matchday playlist featuring The Boys Are Back in Town to toast tidying their own mess) risks being quickly crushed by a Gillingham side a point higher in League One.

The Gills have only been beaten by top-eight teams MK Dons and Barnsley and Premier League Newcastle this term, winning two of their four away fixtures in all competitions.

Peter Taylor's men may not be brilliant travellers, but they have their moments, as Sheffield United discovered last November. They are also well equipped up front thanks to the likes of Danny Kedwell and Cody McDonald, resulting in nine goals in five league outings despite their bottom-half standing.

Meanwhile, though Coventry will be supported in greater numbers than they have been in years, their home advantage is diluted by the fact that many of their players have as little experience of playing at the Ricoh as their guests.

The Sky Blues have a dismal recent record as hosts, winning a mere three of their 14 such games since Boxing Day, and have also prevailed in just one of their past four meetings with Gillingham.

Gillingham to score two goals or more

As mentioned earlier in the preview, Gillingham's attack rarely fails to deliver. They have struck twice in four of their five league matches to date this term - firing one blank in 18 - and also doubled up on two of their previous three visits to Coventry.

Best Bet: Lay Coventry to win @ 1.8910/11
Other Recommended Bet: Back Gillingham to score two or more goals @ 3.55/2

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Check out the latest Betfair Sports Update as B.B editor Dan Thomas joins Timeform Radio's Al Dudman to discuss Coventry v Gillingham as well as US Open tennis and the Ryder Cup