PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Northampton Town

SWINDON TOWN will look to keep their unbeaten start to the League Two season alive later tonight as they host Northampton Town at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the upcoming match.

A hard-fought weekend encounter against Exeter saw Richie Wellens and his STFC squad leave the South-West city with a point for their efforts and the sides promising unbeaten start to the season alive. 

Tonight with the challenge of Northampton looming, Swindon will look to make it back-to-back home wins as the Robins attempt to dominate the League Two standings early on. 

Just three games of the new season have been played and already the present Swindon squad looks a completely different outfit to that of the last season side that failed in their playoff attempts. 

Richie Wellens has begun to instil a feel-good factor at SN1 and having obtained seven from a possible nine points at this early stage in the season, it’s clear to see why fans are rallying behind a side that admittedly should be playing in a higher league. 

A strong performance in their first home fixture of the new campaign saw Swindon come from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Carlisle United. And against a Northampton side that has struggled to yet get going this season, Richie Wellens’ side will be confident of securing another win on home soil. 

Struggling for goals and form in the opening stages of the season see’s Northampton travel to the County Ground without a single victory from their first three games, and just one point to their name. 

Currently occupying 20th position in the League Two standings, Keith Curle’s side will be eager to get their season up and running. And with Northampton having established a good recent record of results at SN1 - unbeaten on their last two visits - tonight’s visitors will provide Swindon with a difficult test. 

Impressive in performances so far this season, has seen Swindon evolve into a free-flowing goal-scoring team, and with six goals from five different goalscorers already, Northampton’s defence will have to be at their best if they are to stop the Robins from scoring. 

The Cobblers, however, aren’t short of their own firepower with Matthew Warburton, Ryan Watson, and Jordan Turnbull, all having found the net already this season. But against a strong defensive of Baudry and Conroy, Northampton’s attackers will have to make the most out of the limited chances likely to be presented to them.

Injury concerns for both sides see Keshi Anderson (knee injury), and Lloyd Isgrove (dead leg) remain doubtful for Swindon, with STFC manager Richie Wellens ruling a late call would be made on the attacking duo. Whilst for the visitors, Keith Curle will be without goalkeeper Steve Arnold who has been sidelined after suffering an injury against Port Vale. 

Northampton Town will be desperate to stop the rot and pick up their first win of the season when they take on Swindon Town later this evening but expect the Robins to put in a strong showing and take all three league points. 

Prediction: 2-1