Swindon Host Preston In League One Promotion Clash

Swindon Town host Preston North End tonight (4th November) as the away side look to further cement their place in League One`s automatic promotion places. A win for the home side would, however, see the play-off occupants move to within two points of the Lilywhites.

Despite their lofty positions, neither club made the best start to November with last Saturday`s games bringing defeats for both clubs. A sixth minute toe poke from Jonathan Obika saw Mark Cooper`s Town make the perfect start away at fellow promotion rivals MK Dons though came a-cropper after conceding two second-half goals in the space of eight minutes.

Preston were also away from home at the weekend and failed to hit the back of the net in a North-West derby at Rochdale`s Spotland Stadium. Simon Grayson`s men picked the ball out of the net three times as they fell to an embarrassing defeat with Keith Hill`s newly-promoted side rising to fourth position.

It was Preston`s first defeat in the league in nine games, their last loss a 3-1 thrashing away at Walsall on 13th September. It has been such a run that has seen them remain in second position despite their thumping against the Dale. A win tonight would see PNE close the gap on league leaders Bristol City to two points, the Steve Cotterill-helmed side having played one game more than North End.

Swindon have been less consistent in their efforts and only sit in fifth place thanks to the mixed bag of results recorded by teams around them (they are one of five to have picked up 26 points exactly) and a trio of potent goalscorers. The aforementioned Obika grabbed his fifth goal of the season against the Dons, whilst Andy Williams and Michael Smith lead the way on seven and eight league goals respectively.

Top scorer Smith is 6/4 with most bookmakers to grab a further goal at any time and can be backed at a massive 14/1 with Stan James to break the deadlock. Williams is 15/2 to score first with the same bookmaker and is 11/5 (bet365) to hit the back of the net at any time. paddy Power make Obika a 13/5 chance to make it two from two and an 8/1 shot to score first for the second time in as many games.

Down the other end of the field, Swindon`s defence will have to keep one eye on Joe Garner at all times. The former Nottingham Forest striker has already reached double figures in League One this season (10) and will be looking to add to his tally as he looks to grab the league`s golden boot. Garner is 7/5 with Betbright, betfair and ladbrokes to score at any time. Seven to one (bet365, paddy Power, SkyBet) says the 26-year-old can`t score at least two, a feat he has achieved twice already this season with a brace in a 4-0 win away at Scunthorpe and a hat-trick to help his side come from two goals down to beat Lancashire rivals Fleetwood.

Preston`s superior league position means that the team are the 13/8 (bet365, betfred) favourites to see off Swindon despite their away disadvantage. bet365 have 9/5 on the Wiltshire side securing all three points whilst a draw can be picked up at 5/2 (bet365, Betvictor).

The home side will have to try to overcome the odds without Italian midfielder Raphael Rossi Branco who picked up a groin injury back in September in a 5-2 victory over Sheffield United. Other than Branco, Cooper can enjoy picking his team from a fully-fit squad.

Grayson will still be without Calum Woods, who hasn`t been seen since the end of September thanks to a hamstring injury, fellow defender Bailey Wright and two-time cup goalscorer Jordan Hugill.

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04/11/2014     © Frixo 2026