PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Plymouth Argyle

SWINDON TOWN host Plymouth Argyle for the second time in a week as Richie Wellens' side look to return to winning ways. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi previews the clash.

A 3-0 defeat to Argyle in mid-week saw Swindon crash out of the Leasing.com Trophy last time out, which condemned Town to their third straight defeat in all competitions, but Saturday's game offers the chance for redemption. 

Back-to-back defeats in the league to Newport and Bradford has seen Swindon slip down to seventh-spot in League Two, but they still only remain three points adrift of a top-three place.

Plymouth, on the other hand, have endured a fairly indifferent campaign so far as Ryan Lowe's side occupy 12th spot in the division - winning four, drawing four and losing four of their opening 12 games in League Two.

The Pilgrims will be backed by a sold-out away end on Saturday, and after achieving the 37th win of their 73 meetings with Town on Tuesday night, they will be arriving back at SN1 with their tails up.

Injuries have hit Swindon hard in recent weeks, and after the news that club captain Dion Conroy likely won't play again this season, Town's depth is starting to perhaps look a little thin at the wrong time. 

Recent acquisition Gabriel Zakuani may partner Mathieu Baudry at centre-back, but if the Frenchman hasn't recovered from his injury in time, Tom Broadbent may have to fill in whilst Zeki Fryers remains sidelined through injury.

Plymouth are also likely to name a changed-side from the one that ran riot on Tuesday. Players such as Danny Mayor, Ryan Taylor and Will Aimson are expected to start. 

One player who should start from Plymouth's mid-week triumph is Antoni Sarcevic who tore Swindon apart. Town's defence will need to be better equipped to deal with the midfielder this time around, or he will punish the Reds as he did on Tuesday.

While Town's home form has been poor in recent weeks, the Pilgrims aren't great on their travels. Plymouth have picked up just seven points from a possible 18 on their travels so far this season. 

And whilst Swindon may also have entered some poor form, Plymouth have hardly been in impressive form themselves. Just one win from their last six games sees Argyle sit 20th in the form table. 

Richie Wellens spoke about a hint of negativity coming back into the club, and the Town gaffer will be desperate for a win on Saturday to lift the mood again. Back-to-back league defeats, alongside Tuesday's loss to Argyle, will really show what this Town side is made of as they look to respond. 

In front of a bumper crowd at SN1, Swindon will have to put in an improved showing from Tuesday as they look to get their campaign back on track and show the doubters why they were tipped for promotion by many pundits and fans just a few weeks ago. Defeat, and the negativity might just start to creep up again.