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

Over the weekend, the Robins squandered a 1-0 half-time advantage, losing 2-1 to Tranmere Rovers, dropping to 13th in the table, while the other Robins of Wrexham came away with a 2-0 triumph versus Newport County, keeping them in third place, a point above Mansfield Town.

Match preview

After ending the month of November with seven points in their final three domestic encounters, it has been anything but a December to remember for Swindon Town.

Michael Flynn has seen his side concede nine goals in three matches this month, as they find themselves five points off a promotional playoff spot.

To this stage of the new campaign, 19 of their 30 points have come at the County Ground, winning just one of their previous 12 home matches in this competition.

If they want a chance to contend for a promotional place, they will need to improve that home form, with three of their next four domestic fixtures taking place in Swindon.

Only two of their eight domestic triumphs in 2023-24 occurred against sides currently above them in the table, defeating Mansfield Town (2-1) and Accrington Stanley (4-3) in November.

Swindon have failed to win seven league fixtures this season when scoring the opening goal, including a 5-5 draw with Wrexham on matchday four.

The magical story of Wrexham continues to capture the headlines in League Two with the Red Dragons, claiming at least a point last weekend for a fourth successive time in this competition.

Phil Parkinson saw his side find the back of the net at home for the 49th successive league fixture, eclipsing a club record which had remained intact for 120 years.

Three of their subsequent four domestic encounters will occur outside the Racecourse Ground, where Wrexham have not claimed three points since late October, winning at Notts County, 2-0.

While they only trail Barrow for second on goal difference, Wrexham will need to put some distance between themselves and fourth place, having played one more game than their nearest challengers for an automatic promotion, Mansfield Town.

It has been nearly three years since the Red Dragons have lost a league fixture in December, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Stockport County on December 28, 2020, in the National League, the season before Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became the co-chairmen of this club.

Wrexham have not defeated Swindon Town away from home in the 21st century, with their last triumph against them occurring in a 1981 League Cup encounter (2-0).

Swindon Town League Two form:

D

W

W

L

L

L

Swindon Town form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

L

Wrexham League Two form:

W

L

W

D

W

W

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

W

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Udoka Godwin-Malife missed the previous match for Swindon Town with suspected food poisoning, while Frazer Blake-Tracy and Tyrese Shade were out through injury.

Dan Kemp put his side in front with his 10th of the campaign, only to have Lewis Ward concede the winner 18 minutes from the end after replacing Murphy Mahoney who picked up an injury in the second half.

Arthur Okonkwo was cleared to play for Wrexham shortly before the start of their weekend fixture, replacing Mark Howard between the sticks, George Evans sat out of that contest through suspension, while Eoghan O'Connell did not feature after playing the previous encounter, with Max Cleworth taking his place at the back this past Saturday.

Elliot Lee has scored in three successive domestic encounters, putting home their second goal three minutes from the end on Saturday, with James Jones scoring the winner in what was his 100th appearance for the Red Dragons.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Ward; Minturn, Khan, Kokolo; Hutton, Kinsella, Cain, McEachran; Kemp; Young, Hepburn-Murphy

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Mendy, O'Connell, Tozer, O'Connor, McClean; Jones, Davies, Lee; Bickerstaff, Mullin

We say: Swindon Town 1-2 Wrexham

Although Wrexham have not been quite as sharp in the attacking third at home, they are going up against a side struggling to get back into form, and we believe the counter-pressing of the visitors will be able to create the opening they need to claim all three points.

Previews by email