Two sides at opposite ends of the League Two standings will meet this weekend when Swindon Town play host to Crewe Alexandra at the Nigel Eady County Ground on Saturday.
The hosts will come into this match with 24 points and as the first side above the dotted line, while the visitors are on 42 points and lead the chasing pack behind Walsall.
Match preview
© Imago
Swindon Town's League Two status is in a precarious position as we head into 2025, but their supporters can find some solace knowing that five other teams - Tranmere, Harrogate Town, Accrington Stanley, Carlisle and Morecambe - are also deeply embroiled in the relegation battle.
Additionally, the latest league odds show that most bookmakers do not expect the Robbins to suffer the drop this season, with Morecambe currently installed as the favourites to be relegated to the National League.
However, that was not the case back in October when the side had only managed two wins in 18 league games, which led to the sacking of Mark Kennedy after just 149 days at the helm.
Under the guidance of Ian Holloway, the Town has suffered just two defeats in their last seven league games (W3 D2 L2), and the new boss is now averaging 1.4 points per 90, significantly better than the output of the three managers who came before him.
Holloway has also guided his side to three consecutive wins in their last three home games, scoring three goals in each of those matches, while he has only tasted one defeat at the Nigel Eady County Ground since his arrival.
© Imago
Meanwhile, after missing out on promotion last season, Crewe Alexandra are back among the frontrunners again this term, with a record of 11 wins, nine draws and four defeats after 24 matches.
After failing to win any of their final three games in 2024, the Railwaymen have been in great shape this year, notching up back-to-back wins over Carlisle United (3-1) on New Year's Day and Bromley last week (4-1).
Those results took Lee Bell's side to 33 goals this season, but their greatest strength has been at the other end of the pitch, where they have only conceded 22 goals to date - the third-fewest of any team in the division.
The next task for the Lillywhites' boss is to try and find a way to help his side turn good performances into wins on the road, as they have drawn four of their last six away games 1-1 and only won four of 12 on their travels this term.
Team News
© Imago
Swindon Town were dealt a significant blow in the lead-up to this match, with former Fortuna Sittard man George Cox confirmed as sidelined for the next six to eight weeks after sustaining a foot injury against Notts County last weekend.
Joel McGregor, Harrison Minturn, and Grant Hall all missed the trip to Nottinghamshire due to injury and are ruled out for this match, while Ryan Delaney is flagged as a minor doubt owing to a knee injury.
Omar Bogle gave his side the perfect start against the Ravens, netting a brace in the space of four first-half minutes, taking his goal tally to five for the season, three of which have now come in his last two appearances.
The visitors have no new injury concerns to contend with, and given his side's start to the New Year, it will come as no surprise if Bell opted to send out a similar starting 11 to the one that thumped Bromley at home last week.
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Barden; Wright, Delaney, Kirkman; Longelo, Kilkenny, Cotterill, Clarke; Glatzel, Tshimanga, Drinan
Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Marschall; Connolly, Knight-Lebel, Demetriou; Cooney, Powell, Sanders, Holicek, Conway; Bogle, Lankester
We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Crewe Alexandra
While Crewe Alexandra enter this match with a much better record this season, Swindon Town have been very impressive at home since the arrival of Ian Holloway, and we feel that they will be able to take a share of the spoils from this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
