PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Newport County

SWINDON TOWN host fellow promotion-contenders Newport County at SN1 on Saturday as the Robins look to secure back-to-back wins ahead of a tough run of fixtures. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi previews the League Two clash.

Jerry Yates' fifth goal of the season was enough for Swindon to run out 1-0 winners at Cambridge last time out, and it's seen Town carry on their impressive form - winning four of their last five games. 

However, Swindon's next four games sees them take on three top-seven sides, as well as a Plymouth Argyle team that are considered promotion candidates by many, and Newport County will be the first test of Town's difficult upcoming month. 

County were defeated in the play-off final by Tranmere Rovers last season and they've made an encouraging start to this campaign as they sit in 7th spot - having lost just one of their ten games in League Two so far.

Michael Flynn's side will be eager to get one over on Town after they failed to beat Richie Wellens' men last season. A 2-1 win at the County Ground followed by a 0-0 draw in South Wales saw Swindon take four points from the Exiles as well as defeating them 1-0 in the EFL trophy. 

Swindon dominate the head-to-head record against Newport, winning 40, drawing 21 and losing 26 of their 87 clashes with the Welsh outfit. Newport's 1-0 win at the County Ground in November 2017 was their first win at SN1 since 1955. 

So far this season, Newport have shown themselves to be strong defensively though they don't score much either. Whilst they've only conceded three times on their travels, they have also only managed to notch three in the process. 

However, Flynn's side aren't short of firepower in attack with Padraig Amond, Tristan Abrahams and Jamille Matt all capable strikers in League Two.

A win, three draws and just one loss has seen County take six points from their five away games so far this season, but they'll be relying on their defence to have the near-impossible job of keeping Eoin Doyle and Jerry Yates quiet. 

The pair have bagged 12 goals between them so far this season, and they'll be keen to inflict damage on a Newport side that are winless in three. 

Keshi Anderson was forced off early with an injury in Swindon's triumph over Cambridge, and Wellens has described the 24-year-old's chances of playing on the weekend as "touch and go" which was also used to describe Mathieu Baudry's chances.

However, Kaiyne Woolery, who has been carrying a slight knock, will be fit to play. 

Saturday has all the hallmarks of a thrilling clash between two sides who will be hoping for promotion come May. One of the divisions best-attacking sides, in Swindon, will be facing one of League Two's best defences. 

A win for Swindon could see them enter the top three, and while it may be early in the season, Wellens and co will see this as a vital game in Town's campaign.