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

The visitors are currently in second place, two points behind Leyton Orient, while the hosts are also in with a shout of automatic promotion, given that they are in sixth.

Match preview

Swindon are just five points off the top three in League Two, but they have been very inconsistent this season, having not won consecutive games in all competitions since victories against Sutton United and Doncaster Rovers in the middle of September.

Goals have started to become an issue for the Robins in recent weeks, only netting on four occasions in their nine games prior to their match at the weekend, however they are now back in form in front of goal.

In their last match, Scott Lindsey's side ran out 5-0 winners at home to Grimsby Town, with five different goalscorers getting on the scoresheet, including Charlie Austin, who scored 25 minutes into his debut in his second stint with the club.

The victory was Swindon's first win on home soil since the end of October, having lost to the likes of Walsall and Crewe Alexandra at the County Ground, but there have been impressive signs away from home, defeating promotion-chasing Northampton Town at the end of December.

While the Robins will be happy to be back to winning ways in front of their own fans, they will be well aware that they face a very difficult test, given that they lost to Tuesday's opponents 2-0 earlier in the season.

Stevenage have been on a fantastic run in League Two, not losing a game in the competition since the end of October, now on a very impressive 11-game unbeaten run.

Not only that, but the Boro also showed their mettle in the FA Cup recently, travelling to Aston Villa and winning 2-1 courtesy of a sensational late turnaround, with Dean Campbell netting a 90th-minute winner.

Steve Evans' side are becoming increasingly solid defensively, and they have now conceded the joint-second fewest goals of any side in the division, shipping just four goals in their last 11 league outings.

It is difficult to criticise Stevenage, given their recent exploits in the FA Cup, however they have drawn their last four league away games, with three of these coming against sides in the bottom half, so they will be keen to put an end to that winless run on Tuesday night.

Last time out, the Boro put on a fine display at home against Leyton Orient, winning 3-0 against the league leaders to put themselves right into the mix for the League Two title, however they will have to win for the first time ever at the County Ground if they wish to end the night top of the pile.

Swindon Town League Two form:

D

W

L

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W

Stevenage League Two form:

D

D

W

W

D

W

Stevenage form (all competitions):

D

W

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W

D

W

Team News

Marcel Lavinier scored for Swindon just minutes after being brought on as a substitute against Grimsby, and he could be set for a start, with Ellis Iandolo dropping to the bench, after suffering an injury in the last match.

Ronan Darcy also made an impact after coming on for the final 15 minutes against the Mariners, so Lindsey is set to have a real selection dilemma on his hands, with Jonathan Williams also in very good form.

After getting off to a dream start in his second spell with the club, Austin is set to lead the line again, being supported by Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Jacob Wakeling.

Evans has little reason to tinker with a winning formula, so there are not expected to be many changes to his Stevenage team, but Luke Norris may replace Danny Rose up front, after scoring from the bench against Orient.

The 29-year-old is set to partner Jamie Reid in attack, with the likes of Jordan Roberts and Jake Reeves also providing an attacking threat from the midfield.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Brynn; Hutton, MacDonald, Brennan, Blake-Tracey; Williams, Khan, Lavinier; Wakeling, Hepburn-Murphy, Austin

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni, Clark; Roberts, Reeves, Gilbey; Reid, Rose

We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Stevenage

Stevenage are real contenders for the League Two title, but travelling to Swindon will prove to be a tough test, considering that they have not won in their last four league away games.

If any team takes the three points, it is likely to be the visitors, but we expect the spoils to be shared in a very closely-contested game, given that the hosts will be full of confidence after an emphatic win in their last match.

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