COLCHESTER United are looking for some seasonal cheer today when they visit fellow strugglers Gillingham in a vital basement battle.
From likely line-ups to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the League Two clash at Priestfield Stadium (kick-off 3pm).
U's team news
Colchester will be without midfielder Ossama Ashley for today's game due to suspension.
U's boss Matt Bloomfield will also have to make another change in midfield, with Alan Judge ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Colchester will check on the fitness of experienced midfielder Cole Skuse, who came off against Sutton United with a head injury.
Matty Longstaff will also be assessed but goalkeeper Sam Hornby is likely to be ruled out with an ankle injury.
Predicted line-ups
Colchester: O'Hara, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Dallison, Skuse, Huws, Hannant, Newby, Chesters, Appiah
Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Baggott, Wright, Tutonda, Ehmer, Williams, O'Keefe, Jefferies, Adelakun, Mandron
Colchester boss Matt Bloomfield on Gillingham game:
Bloomfield said: “It’s just a game – it’s just one more game in our season.
“I know that’s a really boring answer but it’s the truth.
“Whoever wins this game isn’t guaranteed survival and whoever loses isn’t guaranteed relegation.
“It’s another game but of course, we approach the game with maximum intensity as much as we can and this game will be no different.
“We’re training and preparing properly, irrespective of it being the festive season.
“We’re preparing properly and we’re looking forward to the game.
“We respect for Neil Harris, David Livermore and the team and staff they’ve got there.
“They’ve had real good careers in the game but we’re also really happy with what we’re doing at the moment and we’re looking forward to the game."
Key battle
Colchester skipper Tommy Smith will be aiming to help his side keep a clean sheet at Gillingham today.
He is likely to come up against former U's striker Mikael Mandron, who will be leading the line for the Gills against his old club.
Last meeting
Colchester last played Gillingham on October 11, in the Papa Johns Trophy.
Lewis Walker gave the Gills a 43rd minute lead but John Akinde's strike cancelled it out.
The last time the two sides met in the league was in December 2015, when Gillingham ran out 1-0 winners at Priestfield thanks to Dominic Samuel's 70th-minute strike.
Referee
Sam Purkiss is the man in the middle for today's game.
He has presided over 18 games so far this season, showing 60 yellow cards and brandishing six reds in that time, including one in each of his last two games.
Odds
Colchester are 11/5 to claim a vital win at Priestfield today, according to Paddy Power. The draw is 2/1, while a Gills win is viewed at 13/10.
League Two fixtures, today:
AFC Wimbledon v Newport County, Carlisle United v Bradford City, Crawley Town v Sutton United, Gillingham v Colchester United, Harrogate Town v Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town v Northampton Town, Rochdale v Hartlepool United, Salford City v Barrow, Stockport County v Crewe Alexandra, Swindon Town v Walsall, Tranmere Rovers v Doncaster Rovers.
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