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Swindon Town
League Two | Gameweek 13
Oct 14, 2023 at 3pm UK
County Ground
Newport County

Swindon
2 - 0
Newport

Kemp (8'), Hepburn-Murphy (82')
Brewitt (36')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Swindon Town vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Swindon Town and Newport County, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Swindon Town welcome Newport County to the County Ground in League Two this Saturday afternoon.

The hosts will hope home comforts can arrest a run of successive defeats on the road recently, as manager Michael Flynn faces the side he represented as both a player and manager.


Match preview

Walsall's manager Michael Flynn applauds fans before the match on January 8, 2023© Reuters

Swindon have been one of the most free-scoring sides in the Football League so far this season, and only Crewe Alexandra have scored more than their 27 in League Two.

However, despite those exploits, Flynn still only finds his side down in ninth.

There is no cause for concern though, because even after 12 games, a net can be thrown over virtually the entire top half given how tight it is near the summit.

Swindon also have a game in hand upcoming, which if they won, would catapult them all the way up into the automatic promotion places.

Returning to the County Ground after three straight away games will also be a bonus, as Swindon have one of the best records at home in the division.

Despite having played two games fewer on home soil than most other sides, Swindon have amassed more points than most, taking 13 from a possible 15, as only league leaders Notts County have a better points-per-game ratio.

Four wins in a row at home have included results where Swindon put six past Crawley Town and five past Sutton United.

It is questionable whether those three straight away games which all ended in defeat will affect morale though, after losing to Notts County and a Bradford City side who recently saw their manager Mark Hughes sacked.

At first sight, their 5-0 thrashing at Reading in the EFL Trophy in midweek looks the most concerning, but Swindon played a heavily rotated side for that one.

Newport themselves enter this fixture high in the scoring charts, having scored the sixth-most goals in League Two so far.

Newport County AFC's Bryn Morris looks dejected after missing a penalty during a penalty shootout on August 29, 2023© Reuters

However, their actual league position makes for more grim reading, with Graham Coughlan's men down in 19th.

While only being four places above the drop zone though, Newport are a comfortable seven points clear of trouble given the poor starts made by Sutton and Forest Green Rovers.

Only Sutton have conceded more goals than Newport though, so it is imperative that Newport can continue their fine run in front of goal if those defensive woes continue.

After starting with three wins from their first five games, Newport have won just once in the seven league games since, despite scoring in all seven.

Coughlan has seen his side suffer two 4-1 defeats, and they also lost last time out at home to fellow early-strugglers Harrogate Town.

However, the manager opted for a relatively strong team in midweek for their EFL Trophy clash with Cheltenham Town and it paid off, as Newport won 2-0.

Swindon Town League Two form:


Swindon Town form (all competitions):


Newport County League Two form:


Newport County form (all competitions):



Team News

Newport County AFC manager Graham Coughlan on August 29, 2023© Reuters

League Two's joint-top scorers are both set to be in action here, as Swindon's Jake Young and Newport's Will Evans start the weekend on nine goals apiece.

Young will return after being ineligible against parent club Bradford in Swindon's last league outing and being given a rest in midweek.

The forward has also provided four assists, and along with Daniel Kemp further back who has contributed to 12 league goals, the pair have overshadowed former Premier League striker Charlie Austin so far.

Only George McEachren and Tyrese Shade started at Reading in midweek from the side which lined up in their previous league match.

Defender Tom Clayton remains out but is edging ever closer to a return to first-team action.

Evans will look to be Newport's match winner again having scored in his three last games, taking his tally for the season to 11 in all competitions.

It is a remarkable upturn in form for the midfielder who only netted four across the whole of last season, and even though he was in contention for a Wales call-up, Evans was not picked and will be at Coughlan's disposal here.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend will also be available after he was not selected for duty by Antigua & Barbuda this week.

Stoke City loanee Matty Baker is also in contention after he returned from a lengthy injury layoff to come off the bench in midweek.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Mahoney; Godwin-Malife, Brewitt, Blake-Tracey; Hutton, Khan, McEachren, Kemp, Shade; Austin, Young

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; McLoughlin, Seberry, Delaney, Payne; Bennett, Wildig, Wood; Evans, Bogle, Waite


SM words green background

We say: Swindon Town 2-1 Newport County

Swindon's home form has been near-perfect this season, with an opening draw against Crewe the only result stopping them from having a 100% record at the County Ground so far.

Newport's start has been underwhelming but has shown bright sparks, especially in attack, but their defensive woes may cost them against one of the league's strongest forward lines.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Swindon vs Newport

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Draw
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Newport County
0.0%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale1610332416833
2Crewe AlexandraCrewe158431913628
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster168442218428
4Walsall1483327151227
5MK Dons168352719827
6Notts County167632315827
7Grimsby Town168171925-625
8AFC Wimbledon1472523131023
9Bradford CityBradford166552117423
10Gillingham157261612423
11Chesterfield165742920922
12BarrowBarrow166461715222
13Fleetwood TownFleetwood145632015521
14Salford City165651518-321
15Newport CountyNewport166281926-720
16Accrington StanleyAccrington164662226-418
17Cheltenham TownCheltenham165382125-418
18Harrogate TownHarrogate165381422-818
19Tranmere RoversTranmere144551017-717
20Bromley153751719-216
21Colchester UnitedColchester152851822-414
22Swindon TownSwindon162771825-713
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1633101429-1512
24Morecambe1624101427-1310


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