An out-of-form Sutton United outfit will be bidding to kickstart their League Two campaign when they travel to Swindon Town on Saturday afternoon.
Sutton have found it difficult to get going early in the season, picking up just three points from six matches, which has left them in 23rd position in the table, while Swindon occupy 10th spot in the fourth tier.
Match preview
© Reuters
Swindon are unbeaten in League Two this season, winning two and drawing three of their opening five matches to collect nine points, which has left them in 10th position in the table.
Michael Flynn's side recorded a thumping 6-0 win over Crawley Town in their last home match on August 26 before playing out a goalless draw with Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
The Robins finished 10th in League Two last season, and they are playing at this level for the third campaign in a row following their relegation from League One in 2020-21.
Swindon have only actually faced Sutton on five previous occasions, including twice last season, winning 3-2 on home soil before suffering a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture.
Flynn's team are the joint-leading goalscorers in League Two this season, netting 15 times in all competitions, while they have conceded eight goals, including five in a 5-5 draw with Wrexham on August 19.
© Reuters
Sutton, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 home loss to Forest Green Rovers, with the result leaving them down in 23rd position in the table on three points.
Matt Gray's side have won twice in the League Cup this season, progressing to the third round of the competition courtesy of victories over Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers.
Sutton recorded a 5-1 win over Notts County in their opening league game of the season, but it has been a struggle since, losing all five of their League Two matches against Barrow, Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon, Newport County and Forest Green Rovers.
The Yellows have finished eighth and 14th in their two seasons in League Two, but their form in the early weeks is concerning, especially as they have only scored twice in their last five games.
Sutton have back-to-back league games against Swindon and Accrington Stanley before taking on Aston Villa Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on September 19.
Team News
Swindon have not reported any fresh injury concerns from their goalless draw away to Doncaster last weekend, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI for this contest.
Jake Young has been in excellent form at the start of this campaign, scoring seven times in the league, and the 22-year-old will again lead the home side's line.
Charlie Austin has netted once in League Two in 2022-23, and the 34-year-old is also expected to start on Saturday, with Daniel Kemp, who has four league goals this term, set to feature out wide.
Omari Patrick has been Sutton's main source of goals this season in League Two, finding the back of the net on three occasions, and he will continue in midfield for the visitors here.
Aiden O'Brien is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals in 2023-24, but the 29-year-old should again get the nod in the final third of the field.
Head coach Gray does have plenty of options for change in the attacking areas, though, with Lee Angol pushing to be included in the first XI on Saturday afternoon.
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Mahoney; Godwin-Malife, Brewitt, Blake-Tracy; Hutton, McEachran, Khan, Uwakwe; Kemp; Young, Austin
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Rose; Kizzi, Goodliffe, John, Milsom; Coley, Clay, Beautyman, Patrick; Smith, O'Brien
We say: Swindon Town 2-0 Sutton United
Sutton are capable of making this a difficult match for Swindon despite their struggles this season, but we are finding it difficult to back against the home side, who hit Crawley for six in their last match in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
