Colchester United and Swindon Town will be looking to make a winning start to 2023 when they do battle in League Two at the JobServe Community Stadium on New Year's Day.
The two teams enter this contest off the back of contrasting results in midweek, with the U's losing at home to AFC Wimbledon and the Robins securing all three points away at Northampton Town.
Match preview
After claiming a much-needed 1-0 victory away at fellow League Two strugglers Gillingham on Boxing Day, Colchester were unable to record back-to-back wins as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against AFC Wimbledon on Thursday night.
John Akinde had put the hosts in front from the penalty spot six minutes after half time, but the Wombles turned the game on its head courtesy of strikes from Josh Davison and Ethan Chislett, the latter of whom netted a dramatic 89th-minute winner.
Matt Bloomfield's side remain 22nd in the table with just four wins on the board after 23 league matches, and they are still only two points above the relegation zone having played a game more than both Rochdale and Gillingham.
Colchester have fared much better on home soil so far this season as they have picked up 13 of their 17 points at the JobServe Community Stadium, while they are also unbeaten in their last five home meetings against Swindon, which bodes well for the U's ahead of Sunday's encounter.
While Colchester have won two and lost seven of their last nine matches across all competitions, Swindon have experienced an inconsistent run of form in the same period, winning three, drawing two and losing four of their last nine games.
The Robins have come out on top in two of their last three fixtures, though, with Scott Lindsey's side securing an impressive 2-1 away victory over Northampton in their last match on Thursday night.
A powerful first-half opener from Tyrese Shade was followed by a 56th-minute screamer from Marcel Lavinier – his first senior goal – before League Two top scorer Sam Hoskins increased his tally for the season to 15 with a consolation strike for the hosts in the 90th minute.
Swindon currently sit fifth in the table and have moved to within five points of Northampton in third, who occupy the final automatic promotion place, although they have played a game more than every other side in the top 14 of the fourth tier.
Lindsey and co will be confident of success on Sunday and they have a strong record on New Year's Day, having won four of their last five league matches on January 1, scoring 14 goals in the process.
The Robins will look to boost their promotion hopes this weekend by securing a league victory away at Colchester for the first time since a 4-1 success in February 2016.
Team News
Colchester will be without Newcastle United loanee Matty Longstaff who sustained a serious knee injury shortly after coming on as a late substitute in the win over Gillingham.
Alan Judge picked up a serious knee injury of his own in the previous game against Sutton United and he is now set for up to 12 months on the sidelines.
Freddie Sears ad Emyr Huws, who both began on the substitutes' bench last time out, will be hoping to force their way into the first XI, which could see Samson Tovide and Ossama Ashley drop out of the side.
As for Swindon, duo Mathieu Baudry and Thomas Clayton have missed the last four matches due to injury and they are both major doubts for Sunday's fixture, while Cian Harries remains sidelined with a muscle problem.
The Robins announced the return of striker Charlie Austin on Friday on a deal until the end of the season, following a short stint in Australia, but it remains to be seen if the 33-year-old will be ready to feature against Colchester.
Luke Jephcott is therefore expected to continue up front, with support provided in attack by Shade and Jonny Williams.
Colchester United possible starting lineup:
O'Hara; Dallison, Smith, Chambers; Tchamadeu, Skuse, Huws, Chilvers, Kazeem; Sears, Akinde
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Brynn; Hutton, MacDonald, Blake-Tracey, Lavinier; Gladwin, Khan, Reed; Shade, Jephcott, Williams
We say: Colchester United 0-2 Swindon Town
Considering the form of the two teams and their current positions in the table, Swindon will be regarded as favourites to claim maximum points on New Year's Day.
Colchester will be desperate to secure a much-needed victory as they bid to steer themselves clear of the drop zone, but the Robins should have enough quality in their side to get the job done and consolidate their place in the playoffs.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
