Form… Fourth placed Swindon are currently on a run of one defeat – at Torquay on Boxing Day – in thirteen League Two matches and eighteen matches overall. Town’s current form guide reads four wins, one draw and one defeat in the previous six League Two outings, including victories in the recent two games against Northampton and AFC Wimbledon.

Away from the County Ground, Town have won three, drawn two and defeated once in their previous six League Two games.

Eleventh placed Rotherham United have stabilised as a mid table team following a blistering start to the season. The 3-2 reverse at the County Ground in September knocked the Millers off top spot and they’ve never recovered with a run of nine games without a victory in September through October.

Results have improved as of late with three victories, one draw and two defeats in their previous six outings in League Two.

At their temporary home at the Don Valley Stadium; Rotherham have won their last two games – 1-0 vs AFC Wimbledon and 3-0 vs Bradford City.

Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk Head-to-Head… In total Swindon have met Rotherham United on 27 occasions, winning 17, drawing 4 and defeated 6 times; scoring 49 and conceding 31.

At their former ground Millmoor, Town have registered 6 victories, 3 draws and 4 defeats from the 13 games played, scoring 18 and conceding 14.

Trips to Millmoor have yielded some memorable games over the years. None more so than when Swindon travelled to Rotherham in the penultimate match of the 1968/69 season, they did so in the knowledge that a point would be enough to clinch promotion to the Second Division, after the success in the League Cup earlier in the season.

After a goalless first half, Rotherham threatened to spoil the party, taking the lead just six minutes into the second half – but the Town were rewarded after piling on the pressure in the last ten minutes, when substitute Chris Jones raced onto a Harland through-ball to drive it into the net for the equalising goal that won promotion.

What The Stats Say… Rotherham are ranked the eighth most efficient side in League Two according to our latest combined home and away League Two rankings. Swindon are ranked second.

Our rankings show the Millers are ranked ninth based on home efficiency and also ninth based solely on away efficiency.

As hosts, the key defensive areas where they’ve performed well are; restricting their opponents to an average of 6.2 shots per game (ranked 2nd), restricting opponents to 47% of shots on target (ranked 9th) and controlling an average of 52% possession per game (ranked 8th).

Their weak point in defence at the Don Valley has been saving only 65% of all shots faced which is the fifth worst in the division.

Looking at their attack as hosts, Rotherham make an average of 10.9 shots per game, of which 51% (ranked 11th) test the opposing ‘keeper. Of all shots at the Don Valley Stadium 14% will find the net equating to the ninth best rate in the division.

The Millers have been somewhat goal shy at home with 17 scored compared to 24 on their travels. As hosts, Rotherham score the majority of goals in the second half and between 61-75 minutes.  Rotherham are one of seven sides who have yet to score in time added on when playing as hosts.

In defence, Rotherham have been tight at the back at the Don Valley; conceding 11 goals compared to 25 on their travels. The majority of their goals have been conceded in the 30 minutes after half time (6). Importantly the Millers have yet to concede in the final 15 minutes of a match as hosts.

As I keep saying…..Swindon Town have still yet to concede in time added on home or away this season…

Kickoff.co.uk Prediction… 

Result: Rotherham Win 24% | Swindon Win 50% | Draw 26%

Full time result: Rotherham 1-1 Swindon 12% | Rotherham 0-1 Swindon 12% | Rotherham 1-0 Swindon 8%

My prediction… Rotherham haven’t played since the 2nd January and in that time we’ve fought two hard cup ties. The Millers are improving at home and may be fresher going into this encounter. Di Canio left Connell, De Vita and Benson out of the starting XI at Barnet in an attempt to utilise the squad, but will need to do without Alan McCormack who is suspended for the next two games. Having said all that, if Benson starts, I think we’ll have the edge and win 2-1…