Gillingham could register a seventh home win in a row on Sunday afternoon when they host Rochdale in League One action.

The Gills have beaten the likes of Lincoln, Sunderland, and, most recently, MK Dons on their fine home run, and will be hoping to add Dale to their list of victims and end 2019 on a high.

Rochdale, who currently sit 19th in League One, come into the game off the back of eight losses in their last nine league games, so have their own incentive to pick up the win.

Gillingham’s fine form, however, especially at home, should see them over the line – their finishing will be key to whether or not that happens, though.

The Gills’ defence is as solid as it has been in a long time – they’ve conceded just one goal in their six home wins in a row – but they do sometimes struggle to find the net.

On Boxing Day, against Ipswich, the Gills had a plethora of chances, but couldn’t take any – they’ll need to be in better form in front of goal if they want to win on Sunday. 

It’s possible manager Steve Evans will call on-loan Watford forward Alex Jakubiak to the the starting 11, but the Scot may be reluctant to alter a Brandon Hanlan-Mikael Mandron strike force that has started to gel in open play in recent weeks.

Evans could be without midfielder Stuart O’Keefe and goalkeeper Jack Bonham after both picked up knocks against Ipswich, and he has also hinted at rotation after naming the same starting 11 three games in a row.

The likes of Alex Jakubiak and Regan Charles-Cook are pushing for starts, but it is understandable if Evans decides against changing a team that’s become settled and reasonably successful as the season has progressed.

The game kicks off at 1pm – two hours earlier than the rest of the league – and it promises to be a cracker of an afternoon at Priestfield.