In-form Swindon Town are set to host promotion-chasing Port Vale at the Nigel Eady County Ground this Saturday in League Two.
The Robins are experiencing the best spell of their season so far and will come into the clash with confidence despite being underdogs.
Match preview
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Ian Holloway's Swindon Town have won four games on the bounce ahead of this weekend, scoring an impressive 12 goals in the process.
To put that run into context, the Robins only managed to produce four league wins between October 12 and New Year's Day this season, and the 12 points they have earned since January 18 represent almost a third of their tally this term.
With his side currently 14th - 10 points behind the playoff spots – Holloway has been nominated for the Manager of the Month award, and described in a recent interview how improving the squad's togetherness off the pitch has strengthened their resolve on it.
Last time out, while Saturday's hosts may have benefitted from a red card for the opposition, they thrashed bottom-of-the-table Carlisle United 5-1 in a dominant performance that showcased their attacking potential and featured five different goalscorers.
It is also notable that Swindon have lost just one of their last 10 League Two games – a 2-0 defeat against Notts County on January 4 – and they may feel capable of taking all three points this weekend regardless of the disparity in league position between the sides.
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Meanwhile, Darren Moore's Port Vale are unbeaten in their last five League Two games, having won three and drawn two since the turn of the year.
The Valiants are amongst a pack of five clubs between third and seventh in the table that are separated by just three points, and their total of 48 has them sixth, two points behind Notts County in the automatic promotion places.
In the reverse fixture, Port Vale emerged 2-1 winners back in September thanks to goals from George Byers and Brandon Cover, though Moore's side will be up against a much-improved Swindon almost five months on.
Under pressure to keep up with their promotion rivals, the visitors will be desperate to pick up all three points, though their away form suggests they will be in for a difficult game.
With a record of three losses, two draws and just one win from their last six on the road, the Valiants will need to produce an uncharacteristically strong performance if they are to walk away with a victory on Saturday.
Team News
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Swindon Town midfielder Ollie Clarke picked up an injury last time out and had to be replaced by Aaron Drinan in the first half of their clash against Carlisle.
This weekend, Holloway is likely to start Drinan in the centre of the park beside Nnamdi Ofoborh and Gavin Kilkenny, while striker Harry Smith will be supported in attack by Tom Nichols and Daniel Butterworth.
As for Port Vale, boss Moore will welcome Thomas Sang back into the XI after the right-sided defender missed his team's game in the EFL Trophy in midweek with a suspension.
Sang can be expected to protect Ben Amos between the sticks on Saturday as part of a backline featuring Nathan Smith and Connor Hall.
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Bycroft; Sobowale, Wright, Delaney, Cain; Ofoborh, Drinan, Kilkenny; Nichols, Smith, Butterworth
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Amos; Sang, Smith, Hall; John, Croasdale, Harper, Garrity, Headley; Stockley, Tolaj
We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Port Vale
Both sides come into the game in good form, and their league positions are not representative of the levels the teams are currently operating at.
While Port Vale will be desperate to keep up with their promotion rivals, they will likely have to make do with just a single point this weekend as Swindon are sure to make the clash a close-fought contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
