PREVIEW: Bradford City v Swindon Town

SWINDON TOWN travels North today attempting to keep their unbeaten away record alive as they face Bradford City at the Utilita Arena in this weekends round of League Two fixtures. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the match ahead of kick-off.

Having been on the receiving end of a two-nil drubbing against Newport County at the County Ground last time out, Richie Wellens will be eager for Swindon to get back to winning ways as they look to keep the pressure on those at the top of the table. 

However, Town will certainly have their work cut out against a Bradford side that has recently come into a good patch of form, winning three of their last five games. 

Analysis of the league standings shows the two sides split by just two points, Swindon 5th on 20 points with Bradford 8th on 18, however, amongst a close-knit top ten, there is little to split the two teams who are set to lock horns this afternoon. 

First playing each other in a Division Three match back in 1958, the two sides have faced each other 38 times over the years with Swindon coming out victorious 15 times compared to Bradford’s 11. Last facing each other in the 15/16 League One season, honours were split with either side taking the three points on their home turf. 

Team news ahead of kick-off sees Swindon without team Captain Dion Conroy after he suffered a serious injury against Newport County whilst on-loan striker Eoin Doyle will be unavailable for selection due to restrictions against him facing his parent club Bradford. 

Swindon defender Mathieu Baudry is expected to return to first-team action following his injury layoff, with the Frenchman likely to partner makeshift centre-back Zeki Fryers at the heart of the Town defence. Midfielder Jordan Lyden also returns from injury and will undoubtedly get minutes today after impressing fans prior to his injury layoff. 

In comparison, Bradford manager Gary Bowers will be without both captain James Vaughan and Ben Richards-Everton as the two serve the remaining periods of their suspensions, whilst midfielder Matt Palmer is also unavailable due to an injury picked up last time out. 

Richie Wellens will be confident of continuing his teams fantastic away form this season, but the manager is under pressure as Swindon attempt to bounce back from defeat and maintain their push for promotion this season. 

The absence of Dion Conroy will undoubtedly give Bradford’s attackers hope, as Swindon look set to field a defensive partnership that is yet to play with each other this season in Baudry and Fryers. 

Jerry Yates will be left to his own devices upfront without the inclusion of Doyle, and it will be interesting to see how the youthful striker performs after being restricted of chances against Newport. 

Today's fixture is arguably the biggest test Swindon will have faced this season and Richie Wellens will know that victory is needed to maintain the fee-good factor his side has built around the club this season. In contrast, Bradford will be confident of putting an end to Town unbeaten start as Gary Bower attempts to push his side up the League Two table. 

There will certainly be goals today, but expect Swindon’s attackers to come out on top and take all three points back to Wiltshire. 

Prediction: 2-3