Two teams who have made highly contrasting starts to the 2022-23 League Two season go head-to-head on Monday as Stevenage entertain the challenge of Gillingham.
The hosts are without defeat in eight of their last nine matches heading into this one, while their visitors have been beaten in four of their most recent five outings.
Match preview
Stevenage ended a run of three games without a win in grand style courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Crawley Town when the teams faced off at Broadhall Way.
Steve Evans's men headed into the break with a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Jordan Roberts and Carl Piergianni, after which the latter added a second to seal the deal, rendering Dominic Telford's late penalty nothing more than a consolation.
Having picked up 48 points from 23 matches this season, the Boro sit second in the current League Two table, five points adrift of leaders Leyton Orient.
Their next task sees them face off against an opposing outfit who just about have the better record in this fixture, winning three of the previous seven editions with the other four ending in two losses and two draws apiece.
Ahead of a tough FA Cup tie against Premier League side Aston Villa six days later, Monday's hosts now go in search of a morale-boosting victory in front of their fans.
Gillingham suffered a third defeat in a row across all competitions as they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Sutton on Thursday at Gander Green Lane.
Neil Harris's men went behind two minutes shy of half time as Elkan Baggott turned the ball past his own goalkeeper, but Robbie McKenzie restored parity in the second half, only for Craig Eastmond to net a last-gasp winner.
As a result, the Gills, who currently occupy the bottom spot in the standings, remain within three points of safety with a game in hand on Colchester just outside the drop zone.
Currently on a run of one win in 14 games on the road since mid-August, Monday's visitors have it all to do in this one as they to turn their away fortunes around.
Team News
Off the back of his two-goal haul against Crawley last time out, Stevenage's Carl Piergianni will head into Monday's clash with the wind in his sail.
Defender Max Clark has found himself out of the hosts' starting XI for each of the past two games, but he could be recalled to the lineup for this one.
Ben Reeves missed Gillingham's most recent involvement due to a minor injury concern, and it remains to be seen if the Northern Irishman will play a part here.
Should Reeves be deemed unfit to feature for the visitors, 28-year-old Callum Harriott is on course to be handed what would be only a third start of the season.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Ashby-Hammond; Earley, Piergianni, Vancooten, Sweeney, Wildin; Roberts, Reeves, Gilbey; Rose, Norris
Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Turner; Tutonda, Baggott, Ehmer, Wright; Jefferies, McKenzie, Williams; Harriott, Kashket, MacDonald
We say: Stevenage 3-1 Gillingham
Given the sides' respective forms heading into this one, Gillingham will fancy themselves to come away with all three points with relative ease. We fancy the hosts to get the job done and kick off 2023 on a winning note.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
