PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Macclesfield Town

SWINDON TOWN return to the County Ground this afternoon attempting to make it three back-to-back league wins as they host Macclesfield Town in the latest round of League Two fixtures. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the action ahead of kick-off.

Coming into today's game off the back of two 3-1 victories over both Morecambe and Leyton Orient respectively, see’s Swindon arrive back at SN1 high on confidence having risen to 4th in the League Two table and just three points off top spot. 

However, against a Macclesfield Town side that have lost just once on the road all season, Richie Wellens will be wary of the threat posed by today’s opposition. 

The last County Ground encounter between these two sides saw Swindon and Macclesfield produce one of the League’s most memorable season-opening games as two Michael Doughty stoppage-time penalties gave Swindon a 3-2 victory to start their 18/19 season with a win. 

Although with changes aplenty for both sides, including a change in managers with Richie Wellens and Daryl McMahon now at the helm of their respective clubs, today’s game is something of an unknown for fans and pundits alike. 

A mixed start to the season has seen Macclesfield struggle for consistency with the Midlands-based club failing to back up positive results in the following fixtures as Daryl McMahon’s side have seen their results frequently fluctuate. 

In contrast, Swindon are unbeaten in their last three matches, one draw and two wins, and in front of a packed home crowd, Wellens and Co will be quietly confident of extending that unbeaten run. 

STFC come into today’s match boasting the joint-highest goals tally across English Football’s top four divisions, 14 goals, and against a Macclesfield defence that has conceded more than one goal just once this season, Swindon’s attacking quartet of Anderson, Yates, Doyle, and Isgrove will need to be at their best. 

Although despite boasting a strong defensive record, The Silkmen are yet to establish a prominent goalscorer amongst their ranks with no player yet to score more than two goals this season.

However, there are no worries of goals amongst the Swindon ranks with both Eoin Doyle and Jerry Yates having found the back of the net nine times between themselves this season with the Swindon duo forming arguably the league's most formidable striking partnership. 

Richie Wellens has established a feel-good factor at the club this season and the STFC manager will now be keen to kick on as Town aim for promotion this season, but against a resolute Macclesfield, this could well prove to be Swindon’s biggest home test of the season so far. 

Prediction: 2:1