Swindon Town welcome Newport County to the County Ground in League Two this Saturday afternoon.

The hosts will hope home comforts can arrest a run of successive defeats on the road recently, as manager Michael Flynn faces the side he represented as both a player and manager.

Match preview

Swindon have been one of the most free-scoring sides in the Football League so far this season, and only Crewe Alexandra have scored more than their 27 in League Two.

However, despite those exploits, Flynn still only finds his side down in ninth.

There is no cause for concern though, because even after 12 games, a net can be thrown over virtually the entire top half given how tight it is near the summit.

Swindon also have a game in hand upcoming, which if they won, would catapult them all the way up into the automatic promotion places.

Returning to the County Ground after three straight away games will also be a bonus, as Swindon have one of the best records at home in the division.

Despite having played two games fewer on home soil than most other sides, Swindon have amassed more points than most, taking 13 from a possible 15, as only league leaders Notts County have a better points-per-game ratio.

Four wins in a row at home have included results where Swindon put six past Crawley Town and five past Sutton United.

It is questionable whether those three straight away games which all ended in defeat will affect morale though, after losing to Notts County and a Bradford City side who recently saw their manager Mark Hughes sacked.

At first sight, their 5-0 thrashing at Reading in the EFL Trophy in midweek looks the most concerning, but Swindon played a heavily rotated side for that one.

Newport themselves enter this fixture high in the scoring charts, having scored the sixth-most goals in League Two so far.

However, their actual league position makes for more grim reading, with Graham Coughlan's men down in 19th.

While only being four places above the drop zone though, Newport are a comfortable seven points clear of trouble given the poor starts made by Sutton and Forest Green Rovers.

Only Sutton have conceded more goals than Newport though, so it is imperative that Newport can continue their fine run in front of goal if those defensive woes continue.

After starting with three wins from their first five games, Newport have won just once in the seven league games since, despite scoring in all seven.

Coughlan has seen his side suffer two 4-1 defeats, and they also lost last time out at home to fellow early-strugglers Harrogate Town.

However, the manager opted for a relatively strong team in midweek for their EFL Trophy clash with Cheltenham Town and it paid off, as Newport won 2-0.

Team News

League Two's joint-top scorers are both set to be in action here, as Swindon's Jake Young and Newport's Will Evans start the weekend on nine goals apiece.

Young will return after being ineligible against parent club Bradford in Swindon's last league outing and being given a rest in midweek.

The forward has also provided four assists, and along with Daniel Kemp further back who has contributed to 12 league goals, the pair have overshadowed former Premier League striker Charlie Austin so far.

Only George McEachren and Tyrese Shade started at Reading in midweek from the side which lined up in their previous league match.

Defender Tom Clayton remains out but is edging ever closer to a return to first-team action.

Evans will look to be Newport's match winner again having scored in his three last games, taking his tally for the season to 11 in all competitions.

It is a remarkable upturn in form for the midfielder who only netted four across the whole of last season, and even though he was in contention for a Wales call-up, Evans was not picked and will be at Coughlan's disposal here.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend will also be available after he was not selected for duty by Antigua & Barbuda this week.

Stoke City loanee Matty Baker is also in contention after he returned from a lengthy injury layoff to come off the bench in midweek.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Mahoney; Godwin-Malife, Brewitt, Blake-Tracey; Hutton, Khan, McEachren, Kemp, Shade; Austin, Young

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; McLoughlin, Seberry, Delaney, Payne; Bennett, Wildig, Wood; Evans, Bogle, Waite

We say: Swindon Town 2-1 Newport County

Swindon's home form has been near-perfect this season, with an opening draw against Crewe the only result stopping them from having a 100% record at the County Ground so far.

Newport's start has been underwhelming but has shown bright sparks, especially in attack, but their defensive woes may cost them against one of the league's strongest forward lines.


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