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

The Boro are currently third in League Two, but were dealt a setback after losing to Mansfield Town at the weekend, while Swindon are in 10th place, and unable to finish any higher than ninth.

Match preview

It has been a disappointing season for Swindon, given that they are mathematically unable to finish inside the top seven, and all they can do now is focus on having a strong end to the campaign.

Having recently gone on a run of nine games without a win, the Robins finally appear to have turned the corner, winning their last two matches, one of which against promotion-chasing Bradford City.

Jody Morris' side had been on a run of just one win in their last seven home matches, so it would have been pleasing for the manager to see his players finally get over the line, albeit narrowly, emerging as 1-0 winners courtesy of a late Jonny Williams goal.

After finally getting a win on home soil, Swindon followed it up with a fantastic 5-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon last time out, in what was a dominant display, with Luke Jephcott bagging his first two goals in 2023.

While Morris will be hoping his side can continue their recent uptick in form, in truth, the game means far more to Stevenage, who are now at risk of failing to be promoted automatically.

After a 3-0 victory against Leyton Orient back in January, it seemed unthinkable that the Boro would fail to win promotion, given that they were 13 points clear of fourth-placed Carlisle United, however it is now getting very close at the top end of the League Two table.

Steve Evans' side went on a run of just three wins in 14 games after their victory against Orient, and they are now just one point clear of both Stockport County and Carlisle, although they do have a game in hand.

Stevenage looked like they had finally rediscovered their form at the right time, recording back-to-back wins against AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster Rovers earlier this month, however they lost 1-0 at promotion-chasing Mansfield Town last time out, in what could end up being a seismic result.

In order to quell their fears of missing out on promotion, the Boro are tasked with winning away from home for the first time since the end of February, having lost two and drawn three of their last five games on their travels.

Swindon Town League Two form:

L

L

L

D

W

W

Stevenage League Two form:

D

D

D

W

W

L

Team News

Swindon will continue to be without Ellis Iandolo, as the left-back has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a heel injury, meaning Marcel Lavinier should keep his place in the side, after starting the last match.

Morris is unlikely to tinker too much with a winning formula, considering the impressive 5-1 victory last time out, and Jephcott should be a sure-fire starter in attack, having finally broken his duck in front of goal.

Jacob Wakeling and Jonny Williams have been in and amongst the goals this season, scoring 18 between them in League Two, and they are likely to support Jephcott from either wing.

Evans may choose to mix his Stevenage side up, given the disappointing display on Saturday, with Jake Forster-Caskey coming back into the midfield, replacing Michael Bostwick.

Joint-top scorer Luke Norris has been uninvolved in the last four matches, after suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw against Colchester United, meaning Danny Rose is likely to lead the line for the Boro.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Brynn; Hutton, Brewitt, Clayton, Lavinier; McEachran, Khan, Cain; Williams, Jephcott, Wakeling

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Lo-Tutala; Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Clark; Reeves, Bostwick, Gilbey; Roberts, Rose, Reid

We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Stevenage

Stevenage just cannot seem to reignite their form from earlier on in the season, particularly away from home, while Swindon have proven they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with promotion-chasing sides, beating Bradford earlier this month.

Given that the game means far more to the visitors, we expect them to take a point, which will cement their place in the top three, but they will still be left with work to do in their final two games.

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