With the playoff race going down to the wire in League Two, Salford City welcome Gillingham to the Peninsula Stadium on Monday.

Heading into the final day, Salford know any result will ensure their place in the playoffs, while the visitors have nothing left to play for.

Match preview

With just one point required for Salford to reach the playoffs, the club will be highly confident that this could now be the year when they finally reach the third tier after three previous failed attempts.

Even if they lose here, as long as they avoid a four-goal swing in favour of Mansfield Town who face Colchester United, Salford will still finish in the top seven.

They have put themselves in such a strong position by winning their last three matches, and this fixture represents the chance for them to win four on the spin for the first time in over a year.

Salford's previous two wins came on the road, by a scoreline of 3-2 on both occasions, accompanied by 97th and 88th-minute winners, against Walsall and Carlisle United respectively.

Highly-dramatic matches have been a common feature of Salford's season, illustrated by the fact they are League Two's highest scorers with 72 despite being down in sixth.

Salford can complete a league double over Gillingham here too, after beating their upcoming opponents 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the Priestfield Stadium back in December.

However, since then, Gillingham have turned their season around in remarkable fashion, and remain one of the most in-form sides in the division.

Only Salford, Stockport County and Bradford City have picked up more points in 2023 than Gillingham's 38.

After 22 games of the season, dropping out of the EFL looked likely for the Gills, but Neil Harris has led the side on a fantastic run of results that has left relegation fears in the past.

In mid-January, Gillingham were rooted to the bottom of the EFL, six points adrift of safety, but after an FA Cup defeat to Leicester City, the club went on a run of six wins in eight games which took them seven points clear of the drop zone, and they have not looked back since.

Heading into the final day, they are 10 points clear of the bottom two with the relegation picture already sorted in League Two, and Gillingham look set to be difficult opponents who could spoil the Salford party.

Team News

Salford are set to be without Richard Nartey and Ryan Watson as their only two injury absentees heading into this clash.

Louie Barry would still be serving a suspension here, but his red card against Walsall two weeks ago was rescinded on appeal.

Elliot Watt is expected to play in his 44th league game of the season, and will hope to find his first goal of the campaign, after already contributing a league-high 15 assists.

Callum Harriott and Lewis Walker remain doubtful for Gillingham in attack, while fellow forwards Scott Kashket and Aiden O'Brien are set to miss out.

Shaun Williams remains sidelined for the visitors, along with defender Ben Reeves, who has not featured since Boxing Day.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
Cairns; Shepherd, Vassell, Mariappa, Touray; Mallan, Watt, Hendry; Bolton, Smith, Barry

Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Morris; Alexander, Ehmer, Masterson, McKenzie; MacDonald, Coleman, Dieng, Lapslie, Jefferies; Nichols

We say: Salford City 2-0 Gillingham

Knowing just a draw will do could be a hindrance to Salford, but they still should have more than enough to take all three points here.

Gillingham have been sensational in 2023 to pull themselves away from danger, but they are not overly fancied to stand in Salford's way here.


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