Notts County look to steady the ship at Meadow Lane
Notts County return to Meadow Lane on January 4 with the feel of a side that can grind out results rather than dazzle spectacularly. Sitting seventh in League Two with 39 points from 24 matches, their recent form reads like a mixed bag but leans toward resilience: draws and narrow defeats sprinkled among a clutch of wins. A 1-0 reverse to Accrington Stanley on New Year’s Day stung, but it was one of just three losses in their last ten outings, and the Magpies remain dangerous at home where they have scored 22 of their 36 season goals and kept seven clean sheets. Meadow Lane’s atmosphere and a positive home goals tally give them a clear edge as they welcome a Gillingham side that has struggled to find a win in recent weeks.
Gillingham’s stubborn draws and missing cutting edge
Gillingham arrive in Nottingham with a record that suggests solidity without the offensive spark required to climb the table. Sixteen in the league with 32 points, they have drawn more than any other result this season—eleven times overall and seven draws in their last ten matches—highlighting a team that is hard to beat but also difficult to beat. Recent away numbers show Gillingham have managed 15 away goals but also conceded 16 on the road, and their last outing ended in a 2-0 defeat at Swindon, which kept alive a worrying trend of failing to close out matches with decisive attacking play. Their shot metrics show volume—more total shots across the season than Notts—but the conversion and incisiveness to turn possession into points appear to be lacking.
Tactical outlook and what the numbers suggest
This looks like a clash between a confident home side that converts home advantage into goals and a visitor who specializes in draws and frustrating opponents. Head-to-head last season saw Gillingham win narrowly at home, but the bookmakers have shifted the needle in favor of Notts County here; the market quotes a home win at 1.99 while a draw sits at 3.35 and an away victory at 3.70. Both teams have seen both teams score in around half of their home and away fixtures respectively, so goals cannot be ruled out, yet Notts’ stronger home defensive record and greater number of clean sheets point toward a match where the Magpies can eke out a positive result.
Betting suggestions
With home form, league position and market probability all aligning, the most logical play for this fixture is a 1X2 selection: back Notts County to win. The bookmaker odds around 1.99 reflect a decent value on a home side that has been more consistent in finding results at Meadow Lane than Gillingham have away. For bettors interested in timing and goal markets, consider checking resources on The right time to place bets on goal markets before committing, and sharpen your approach by reading about Learn about some of the tools that can help with analysis.
Final pick: Notts County to win (1X2).
