MATCH PREVIEW: Salford City v Swindon Town

SWINDON TOWN travel to the Peninsula Stadium as Richie Wellens' side look to register their fourth league win in a row against an in-form Salford City side. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi previews the fixture.

A 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at Cheltenham last Saturday was quickly followed by a mid-week defeat to Bristol Rovers in the Leasing.com trophy, as Swindon failed to register a win since their last league game. But the recent results offer little insight into Swindon’s performances with Wellens admitting there were encouraging signs in both games. 

However, Swindon will be up against it this afternoon as they travel North to face a Salford side who are starting to find form in League Two, following promotion from the National League last season. 

Graham Alexander's side sit third in the current form guide, with Salford winning four and drawing one of their last six games, which has seen the Ammies climb up to 11th in the league, sitting just three points adrift of a play-off spot.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides, but Swindon will take confidence from their impressive away form this season that sees them boast the third-best away record in the division.

Whilst Swindon are the top goalscorers in the division, mostly due to the form of both Eoin Doyle and Jerry Yates, their risky attacking game has seen the Robins concede 20 goals - the most in the top seven, something that Wellens will be keen to improve as Town seek to register more clean sheets.

Team news for Swindon sees both Eoin Doyle and Anthony Grant likely to return to the starting XI after they weren't given permission from their parent clubs to play in the FA Cup, with club legend Paul Caddis also set to make his Town return following the news of his short-term signing on Friday.

Swindon looked blunt up-front without Doyle against Cheltenham, and the 31-year-old will be a welcomed addition to the side as he looks to add to his impressive tally of 14 goals on Saturday. However, the loss of full-back Dion Donohue from the side, after the 26-year-old failed to sign a new contract, is likely to disrupt Swindon’s expansive style of play.  

However, Salford aren’t without threat of their own and have a dangerman in the shape of Adam Rooney. Rooney endured a stint with Swindon during the 2012-13 season, and after notching 20 goals last season, the Irishman will be looking to showcase his goalscoring ability in League Two. 

Rooney has only managed three goals this season, but Town's back-line will have to make sure they keep the 31-year-old quiet if they are to walk away with the three points.

1,300 Swindon fans will be making the trip to Salford, and following some impressive showings in recent weeks, they'll be expecting another solid performance on the road.

Town currently occupy the third automatic promotion spot, and if they are to be there come May, it's crucial that they go on large unbeaten runs. After winning their last three in the league, Swindon have the perfect opportunity to keep the momentum going.

Prediction: 1-2