Match Preview: Swindon Town vs Preston North End
Form Guide…
1st placed Swindon are unbeaten in twelve League One matches. At the County Ground, Town have won four and drawn twice in their previous six games, conceding only once. Town haven’t failed to score as hosts in six games.
Preston North End are 17th, six points clear of the relegation zone, but 20 points behind Swindon. Simon Grayson’s side won their previous match 2-0 vs AFC Bournemouth – which helped us out a bit – but have lost their previous two games on their travels. The Lilywhites are 18th in the League One away form guide with one win, two draws and three defeats in six.
Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk Head-to-Head…
In all League, FA Cup and Football League competitions, Town have faced Preston North End on 27 occasions, winning 7, drawing 7 and defeated 13 times; scoring 35 and conceding 45.
At the County Ground, Swindon have a record of 6 wins, 2 draws and 5 defeats, scoring 21 and conceding 19.
Swindon lost in the reverse fixture 1-4 back in September which included Wes Foderingham’s infamous first half substitution.
Town haven’t played Preston at the County Ground since 7th December 1985. A match that Swindon was 4-1 with a hat trick from Charlie Henry and a Nicky Coleman penalty.
In the two previous games at the County Ground, Swindon have scored four goals in victories.
The Stats…
| Defence | Attack | ||||||||
| STFC (Hosts) | r | PNE (Away) | r | STFC (Hosts) | r | PNE (Away) | r | ||
| Shots Against Per Game | 5.8 | 1 | 8.7 | 3 | Shots For Per Game | 11.6 | 11 | 10.4 | 7 |
| % Shots Against on Target | 38.7% | 2 | 48.1% | 12 | % Shots For on Target | 46.5% | 18 | 55.1% | 4 |
| % Save Rate | 75% | 11 | 66.7% | 22 | % Strike Rate | 17.8% | 1 | 12.3% | 12 |
| Corners Against Per Game | 3.6 | 2 | 5.9 | 10 | Corners Won Per Game | 7.3 | 2 | 5.9 | 3 |
| Possession Conceded | 48.5% | 13 | 52.1% | 13 | Possession Won | 51.5% | 13 | 48.9% | 13 |
| R = rank: The ranking shown for each measure indicates the efficiency of the sides against the rest of the division as either hosts or the away side | 1 equals the best and 24 is the worst | TheWashbag.com | |||||||||
Despite having one of the best defences on the road through a 3rd placed rank for 8.7 shots against per game, Preston’s ‘keeper appears to be the weak spot in defence, saving 1 shot in 3 on target.
Preston have a stronger efficiency ranking in attack, generating plenty of opportunities in and around the box with above average shots per game, shots on target and corners won away from Deepdale. A bit more clinical finishing and the Lilywhites would have gained more than their 1.27 points per away game this campaign.
| SCORED | 1-15 | 16-30 | 31-45 | 45+ | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76-90 | 90+ |
| STFC (as hosts) | 5 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| PNE (away) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Swindon start strong as hosts having opened the scoring in their previous seven games at the County Ground, remaining unbeaten in all seven and securing 17 points.
In the previous six away games, Preston have only scored twice in the first half. Also in those previous six away games, Preston have scored only three goals in total.
| CONCEDED | 1-15 | 16-30 | 31-45 | 45+ | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76-90 | 90+ |
| STFC (as hosts) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| PNE (away) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Preston have kept a clean sheet during the opening 45 minutes in their previous three away games.
My prediction…
Managerless and top of the table Swindon meet Preston under the guidance of new boss Simon Grayson. With a new manager, the Lilywhites could defy recent form and their rankings to secure a surprise point or more.
However, Swindon proved a big point midweek at Tranmere and with the caretaker partnership of Tommy Miller and Darren Ward providing continuity of approach from Di Canio they’ll give the new owners a welcome victory… 2-0 to Swindon.
Come on You Reds!
The Washbag 
Without Di Canio’s eccentric behaviour and antics the players should be more settled.
Danger is they must NOT become complacent.Think under all the circumstances, the two
most senior pros Ward and Miller, will also having something to prove if they aspire
to coaching/managerial roles in the not too distant future and should be able to further
motivate the team.
COYR
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