PREVIEW: Grimsby Town v Swindon Town

SWINDON TOWN will make the 200-mile trip North tomorrow as they face Grimsby Town in the weekends League Two fixture. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the match.

After earning their third successive league win in a 2-1 victory over Newport County last weekend, Richie Wellens will be aiming to make it four victories out of four against a struggling Grimsby side.

A margin of eight points separates the two teams with Swindon positioned in 11th and Grimsby in 18th spot. 

And with Town heading into the match as favourites, Saturday’s encounter presents the Robins with the perfect opportunity to rise up the table towards the playoffs.

Having done the double over Swindon last season, The Mariners will be hopeful of ending Town’s current unbeaten run. 

And having only lost once in their last five matches, the hosts will be confident of putting on a winning display in front of their home crowd. 

However, with an upturn in form since the appointment of Wellens at the helm of the club, Swindon will travel to the seaside town aiming to bring three points back to SN1.

Whilst three back-to-back wins has been an impressive return from a congested fixture list in the build-up to Christmas, the style of play that the new manager has got his side playing is perhaps the most impressive change for a Swindon side that were on a downward slump.

Quick passing football combined with an exciting and creative attacking threat makes Swindon a formidable team to face. 

And with Kaiyne Woolery, Elijah Adebayo, and Michael Doughty getting back to their best, Grimsby’s defence will need to be at their best to stop Town scoring.

In contrast, just twenty goals scored all season demonstrates a lack of firepower in front of goal for the home side. Elliot Embleton leads Grimsby’s goal charts this season, but just four goals to his name makes for poor reading. 

However, a 5-2 victory in their last home game means Swindon’s defensive partnership of Luke Woolfenden and Sid Nelson will have to be on top form.

Swindon will be expected to win this game and recent results suggest the Robins are strong favourites, but with Grimsby eager to distance themselves from the relegation zone, tomorrows match looks set to be a good contest for both sides.

Prediction: 1-3