The Gills have not beaten top-flight opposition since knocking Charlton out of the FA Cup a decade ago.
Gillingham go into the tie on the back of a 4-1 League 1 defeat at Barnsley on Saturday.
Danny Kedwell: “They say it’s good to have a game straight away after a defeat like this and you never know – there could be an upset.
“We’ve just got to make sure we prepare right, get on the training ground and get more information about Tuesday.
“It’s obviously different. They’re a Premier League side, they’re going to be a decent side but we’ve got to make sure we go into it as though it’s a normal league game.
“There’s always upsets and I’m sure there could be one on Tuesday.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of clubs who like coming to Priestfield. It’s a tight pitch, the place can be buzzing, like a few years ago when we played Stoke.
“We scored an early goal and they didn’t like that at all, so we’ve just got to make sure this time if we do go ahead, we make it as difficult as we can for them."
Priestfield Stadium
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed on one side of the Brian Moore Stand (on the Medway Stand side) where around 1,500 supporters can be accommodated. Like last season the stand is of the temporary variety i.e. the type that you would see around the 18th hole at the British Open Golf Championship, although it is of a good size and height (you can get some great views of the surrounding area at the very top of it), plus the views of the playing action are fine. Unlike most temporary stands though the facilities are surprisingly good, being of a permanent nature behind the structure. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet! The absence of a roof also dampens the atmosphere somewhat, even considering that the end is shared with home fans. However supporters in this area do try to make some noise by stamping on the metal rows of the stand. One unusual aspect of visiting Priestfield Stadium is that away supporters have to walk down a very narrow terraced street to reach the away entrance, or if coming from adjacent streets down very tight alley ways. However, there is never normally any problems with this although after the game the Police sometimes close of some of the surrounding streets to keep fans apart.
Where To Drink?
A handy pub for away fans is the Livingstone Arms on Gillingham Road, which is a five minute walk from the away turnstiles. The atmosphere within the pub is normally warm and friendly. This pub which also has a beer garden, is popular with both away and home supporters and as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays. There is a handy fish & chip shop, situated across the road from the pub. Robert Phipps a Gillingham supporter advises away fans 'to avoid the Cricketers pub in Sturdee Avenue'.
Otherwise, the ground is walkable from the town centre, where there are a fair few pubs to be found. Paul Kelly a visiting Preston fan adds; 'we have used the 'Will Adams' in the town centre. The pub is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and does good cheap food. Plus a very friendly crowd of football locals happy to indulge in friendly banter - the landlord is a Gill fan too!' Robert Donaldson recommends the 'Southern Belle' opposite the railway station, which also has a cafe located next door.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave the M2 at Junction 4 and take the A278 towards Gillingham, going straight across two roundabouts. At the 3rd roundabout turn left onto the A2 towards Gillingham town centre. At the traffic light junction with the A231, turn right into Nelson Road and passing the small bus station take a right turn into Gillingham Road, the ground is down on your right.
Alternatively Roger Blackman provides an alternative route from the M2; 'At the start of the M2 keep left and follow A289 towards Gillingham. Continue towards Gillingham and go through through the Medway Tunnel (Priestfield Stadium is signposted from here). Continue on the A289 ignoring the turn off for Gillingham town centre, until you reach the Strand roundabout after about a mile. Turn right at this roundabout and up the hill and over the level crossing. Take the second left past the level crossing into Linden Road and the ground is along this road on the right'.
There is a residents only parking scheme in operation around the ground, so if you want to street park, this will mean driving a bit further away to do so. Chris Bell a visiting Northampton Town fan adds; 'There is a cheap pay and display car park (£1.40 for four hours) on Railway Street near Gillingham station, which is less than 10 mins walk from the ground'.
Post Code for SAT NAV: ME7 4DD
By Train
The ground is about a ten minute walk away from Gillingham railway station, which is served by trains from London Victoria (every 15mins), Charing Cross (every 30mins), St Pancras and Stratford International (both located on the same line, every 30mins). It is worth noting that the quickest trains leave from St Pancras (journey time around 45mins) and Stratford International (journey time 37mins).
Robert Donaldson provides the following directions; 'Turn left out of the station and follow the road until you come to a crossroads. Go straight on into Priestfield Road. The visitors turnstiles are at the far end of Priestfield Road. Allow ten minutes to get from the station and into the ground'.
To get to the home areas, turn right at the crossroads and then first left into Gordon Road for the Gillingham End Terrace home area, the Gordon Road Stand and the Rainham End. For the Medway Stand or an alternative route to the Rainham End, turn left at the crossroads and then first right. At the far end the road turns right and then left.