Preview: Swindon Town vs Cambridge United - prediction, team news, lineups

Swindon Town and Cambridge United square off at the County Ground on Saturday afternoon having endured contrasting starts to their League Two campaigns.

At a time when the home side lost out to last season's playoff runners-up Walsall, the visitors edged their way to victory over Cheltenham Town.

Match preview

After generally impressing during the second half of last season, Ian Holloway and his Swindon side would have had high hopes of making a statement against Walsall last weekend.

That would have particularly been the case when Walsall were reduced to 10 men after just 21 minutes, even when the Saddlers held a 1-0 advantage.

However, despite getting back on level terms, Swindon conceded a 91st-minute winner to their hosts to suffer defeat against a team who had a player disadvantage for 69 minutes plus added-on time.

Much of the focus post-match was Holloway calling out a Swindon supporter for unsavoury scenes involving the Walsall goalkeeper, yet it will not distract from what was a frustrating defeat.

Nevertheless, Swindon will also recognise that one of their toughest fixtures of the campaign is out the way, and victory on Saturday would get them back on track.

Meanwhile, Cambridge are attempting to rebuild after their relegation from League One, Neil Harris hopeful of putting together a promotion charge.

Some notable additions have been made by Harris and it came as little surprise when they delivered an opening-weekend win over Cheltenham.

Harris would have wanted a more comfortable scoreline than 1-0, yet seeing his side take a 59th-minute lead through Louis Appere and hold onto a clean sheet will fill him with confidence.

With three victories and one draw coming from five pre-season friendlies, Harris will also feel that Cambridge have turned a corner since his return to the club in February.

Swindon Town League Two form:

Cambridge United League Two form:

Team News

Although Gavin Kilkenny was withdrawn before half time last week, it was a tactical decision rather than injury-related.

If Holloway makes changes to his Swindon XI, Paul Glatzel and Botan Ameen are pushing for opportunities in the final third.

Harris may see no reason to make any alterations to his Cambridge starting lineup after their professional display last weekend.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu will likely be viewed as an eventual starter in midfield, but the Luton Town legend is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Ripley; Snowdon, Wright, Wilson-Brown, Munroe; Kilkenny, Clarke, Oldaker; Glatzel, Nichols; Smith

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Purrington; Ball, McLoughlin; Brophy, Knight, Kaikai; Appere

We say: Swindon Town 2-1 Cambridge United

This is a fixture between two clubs that could be in contention for promotion at the end of the season, leading us to anticipate an evenly-fought contest. However, we give the advantage to Swindon, who still feel like they are on an upward curve under Holloway.

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