Form… After an improved September, Swindon have dropped down the form table to 9th with 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats in six games. Problems remain away from the County Ground with Swindon the joint second worst team away in League Two with just 3 points.

Accrington sit 16th with 1 win, 4 draws and 1 defeat. Stanley are unbeaten in their last 3 games including their previous home game, a 3-2 win over Aldershot at the start of the month. Overall at home Accrington have won 50% of their games.

Swindon Team Speculation… Christian Montano will be travelling to Lancashire and Di Canio is set to use the new loan signing from West Ham Utd as a front man with either Jake Jervis or Medhi Kerrouche.

Mattia Lanzano will continue in goal as Phil Smith is out for around 4 weeks with a groin injury. Crystal Palace loanee Wes Foderingham is set to take the ‘keeper’s place on the bench.

Ahmed Abdulla will miss the trip following a collision in training.

As for our starting XI I’d predict Di Canio playing his typical 4-4-2 with Lanzano, Caddis, Devera, McCormack, Cibocchi, Ritchie, De Vita, Ferry, J Smith, Kerrouche and Montano.

Accrington Team Speculation… Teamtalk.com reports:

Accrington will be able to welcome back Sean Hessey for the clash. Hessey missed Wednesday’s rearranged Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie with Tranmere as he was serving a one-match ban, but will now be available for John Coleman’s side.

Left-back Dean Winnard returned for the Rovers clash after two games out due to an ankle injury sustained against Aldershot at the start of the month. And, having got through the 90 minutes, he should be okay to go again.

Defender Tom Bender remains sidelined with the severe concussion that caused last week’s original JPT tie with Les Parry’s side to be abandoned. The 18-year-old, who is on loan from Colchester, is recovering at home and the club has put no timescale on his return.

Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk Head-to-Head… The sides have met each other 6 times with Swindon securing 1 win, 2 draws and 3 defeats.

Since Stanley rejoined the League we’ve been unbeaten against them, drawing 1-1 away in October 2006 and winning 2-0 in March 2007 while on the way to 3rd place in League Two.

What the Stats Tell Us… Accrington have scored 13 goals this season with only 2 in the first half, which both came at home. So if Stanley are to score there’s a strong likelihood it’ll be later in the game so expect Swindon to score the opening goal.

Kickoff.co.uk Prediction… 

% Chance of Full Time Result: Swindon win: 22% | Accrington win: 51% | Draw: 27%

% Chance of Scoreline: Accrington 1 Swindon 0 : 15% | Accrington 1 Swindon 1 : 13% | Accrington 2 Swindon 0: 10% | Accrington 0 Swindon 1: 9%

My prediction… We must get back to winning ways away from home and these next two matches are crucial. A minimum 4 points are needed and I can only back Swindon to return from the Crown Ground with 3 points following a 1-0 victory.