Preview: Colchester United vs. Swindon Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Swindon, meanwhile, will begin life under the management of former Newport County boss Michael Flynn.

Match preview

After making a decent impact to guide Colchester away from relegation danger following his appointment as manager in March earlier this year, Garner will expect the U's to kick on following a pre-season to get used to his style of play.

The 43-year-old earned plenty of plaudits at his former club Swindon, who he helped to a sixth-placed finish at this level, before struggling to ever settle in chaotic circumstances behind the scenes at Charlton Athletic.

Garner has undertaken a significant summer clear-out in north Essex, with former Ipswich Town players Tommy Smith, Luke Chambers, Tom Eastman, Emyr Huws, Freddie Sears, Cole Skuse and Alan Judge all departing the club.

Star player Junior Tchamadeu has been retained for now, though, while Ellis Iandolo has reunited with his former boss after joining on a free transfer from their forthcoming opponents. Both he and Garner will be desperate to impress at the Community Stadium this weekend.

Swindon, meanwhile, will be hoping to kick on another level under Flynn this season, having never really looked like pushing for the play-offs after Garner's departure last summer.

His successors Scott Lindsey and Jody Morris both barely lasted in the hot seat at the County Ground, as they ultimately fell short of expectations, finishing 14 points behind seventh-placed Salford City.

The Robins have endured significant squad turnover during the transfer window so far, with Wales international Jonny Williams one of the more notable departures after moving to Gillingham Town on a free transfer.

As such, Flynn may be tasked with stabilising Swindon during the early months of the campaign before hopefully improving later on, with their trip to Essex this weekend likely to prove to be a difficult opening game of the season.

Colchester United League Two form:

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Swindon Town League Two form:

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L

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Swindon Town form (all competitions):

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Team News

Left-back Iandolo will almost certainly make his competitive debut for the hosts against his former club, with Tchamadeu expected to put aside major interest in him from elsewhere to line-up on the opposite defensive flank.

Matt Jay and Noah Chilvers will carry the bulk of the hosts' goal threat from offensive midfield positions, with Owen Goodman potentially starting in goal after joining on loan from Crystal Palace for the season.

Swindon, meanwhile, could hand debuts to new signings Dan Kemp and Liam Kinsella after the midfield pair joined from Milton Keynes Dons and Walsall respectively.

Jacob Wakeling and former Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin could start as a forward pairing for the visitors, who should have few issues scoring goals this season with those two in attack.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Tchamadeu, Hall, Kelleher, Iandolo; Newby, Jay, Read, Chilvers, Fevrier; Akinde

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Mahoney; Lavinier, Brewitt, Clayton, Devine; Kemp, McEachran, Kinsella, Cain; Austin, Wakeling

We say: Colchester United 1-1 Swindon Town

There is plenty of uncertainty regarding how these two teams will fare this season after each losing a significant amount of players during the transfer window so far, but neither side should be majorly concerned about any relegation troubles.

With that in mind, we can envisage a decent encounter with plenty of offensive quality on display, with both managers likely to settle for a share of the spoils to open the campaign.

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