Form Guide…

3rd placed Swindon gave away two leads against Walsall on Saturday as the Saddlers secured a 2-2 draw. Town’s form guide now reads two wins, three draws and one defeat in six games; ranked 8th in League One.

Away from the County Ground, Town beat Coventry City 2-1 last time out, providing a third away win in succession and unbeaten in seven away games. Swindon haven’t failed to score on their travels for four games.

6th placed Brentford are 7th in the League One form guide with three wins, one draw and two defeats in six games. The Bees have lost their previous two games, both came away from Griffin Park, without scoring in either.

As hosts, Brentford are unbeaten in five matches, with two wins and three draws in that run. Their last defeat at Griffin Park came on January 19th and the visit of Tranmere Rovers who traveled back to Merseyside with a 2-1 win.

Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk Head-to-Head…

In all League, FA Cup and Football League competitions, Town have faced Brentford on 111 occasions, winning 44, drawing 29 and suffering 38 defeats, scoring 164 goals and conceding 149.

At Coventry, Town have 12 wins, 9 draws and 18 defeats, with 49 scored and 65 conceded.

Brentford came away from the County Ground earlier this season with a 1-0 victory.

That win for Brentford was only their 2nd in ten previous meetings between the Bees and the Robins.

Swindon haven’t lost at Brentford for three meetings. Their last defeat was a 2-1 reverse in January 2005.

The Stats…

Defence					Attack
	Bees (Hosts)	r	STFC (Away)	r		Bees (Hosts)	r	STFC (Away)	r
Shots Against Per Game	9.3	7	7.9	1	Shots For Per Game	15.2	1	12.6	1
% Shots Against on Target	53.9%	20	51.5%	19	% Shots For on Target	49.5%	11	58.4%	2
% Save Rate	81.1%	3	79.1%	6	% Strike Rate	10.6%	16	11.2%	15
Corners Against Per Game	5.3	18	4.8	3	Corners Won Per Game	7.3	3	7.9	1
Possession Conceded	49.6%	17	47.2%	3	Possession Won	50.4%	17	52.8%	3
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

Considering I was slightly concerned a few weeks ago that Swindon are playing fellow promotion chasers Brentford, Yeovil, Doncaster and Sheffield United away, the recent contrast between our home and away forms combined with our efficiency rankings can only give hope that vital points can be taken off our challengers for promotion.

Swindon are highly efficient away – relative to the division – in all measures except a high percentage of opposition shots on target and a below par strike rate. Nonetheless, in attacking terms, at least the chances are created.

Brentford’s attack is their obvious strong point. In defensive terms, the reason for only 17 conceded at Griffin Park is their save rate of 81% which is ranked 3rd best of all hosts in League One.

SCORED	1-15	16-30	31-45	45+	46-60	61-75	76-90	90+
Bees (as hosts)	2	6	4	1	4	4	6	1
STFC (away)	2	4	5	0	5	3	4	1

After two late goals away at Coventry in the final minutes, Swindon are now looking relatively balanced in scoring throughout the game. Although scoring early on does remain an issue – with no goal scored on our travels in the opening 15 minutes for 8 League One games.

CONCEDED	1-15	16-30	31-45	45+	46-60	61-75	76-90	90+
Bees (as hosts)	3	3	1	0	3	2	5	0
STFC (away)	4	5	2	0	0	1	1	1

Brentford haven’t conceded as hosts for three games.

Swindon are more likely to concede in the opening 30 minutes in away game this season.

My prediction…

Likely to be a close game, but Town will continue their good away record with a 1-0 victory.

Come on You Reds!