Swindon Town vs Colchester United Prediction

Saturday sees over 60 sides get their FA Cup campaign underway as they look to create memories and earn priceless prize money by battling through to the later rounds.

One of these games sees Swindon Town host Colchester, a game which due to the randomisation of the draw, boasts a certain peculiarity about it.

It is the only FA Cup game this weekend which sees neighboring sides play each other. Both play in League Two, with Swindon lying 22nd, while Colchester scrape above them in 21st.

The margins for this game couldn’t be much smaller, and the final result is as unpredictable as their form. Here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Both have almost identical goal records: Swindon have scored 15 and conceded 20, while Colchester have scored 16 while conceding 20.
• Despite failing to win their last three games, Swindon have scored in each of their last five.
• Colchester have failed to win any of their last eight away games, and tasted victory in their last seven games overall.
• Colchester have lost just one of their last ten meetings with Swindon.

Swindon Town Preview

Swindon Town Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2): Jack Bycroft (GK); Will Wright, Grant Hall, Tummise Sobowale; George Cox, Gavin Kilkenny, Ollie Clarke, Joel McGregor; Daniel Butterworth; Aaron Drinan, Harry Smith.

After a sub-par 19th place finish in League Two last year, there were low expectations for Swindon in the new campaign. However, Swindon have failed to meet even those so far.

Earning just two wins in 14 games, Swindon have allowed themselves to be dragged into relegation conversations from the off, and that pressure will linger around the club throughout the rest of the season unless there is a significant upturn in form.

However, they can take comfort from the fact that both of their wins for the season came in the last five games, indicating that some effective changes may have been introduced by coach Ian Holloway.

Playing a side in virtually the same place as them has its advantages and its disadvantages. On the one hand, it means that they are taking on a side at a similar level to them, as opposed to a team from a loftier division. But on the other hand, they are already struggling in their division, so playing a team currently placed above them will not provide a significant morale boost.

Colchester United Preview

Colchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Matt Macey (GK); Ellis Iandolo, Mandela Egbo, Ben Goodliffe, Rob Hunt; Jamie McDonnell, Jack Payne; John-Kymani Gordon, Tom Hopper, Oscar Thorn; Lyle Taylor.

Colchester have had a similarly underwhelming start to their campaign, winning just two and failing to win in their last seven games.

Coach Danny Cowley, who took over in January, has so far failed to win a consistent winning formula, and while they hover just two places above the relegation spots, there is the distinct possibility they will drop into the red zone if their poor form continues.

The upside is that with six draws, Colchester consistently match their opponents tally, but the downside to that is they simply cannot outscore them. If they can figure out a way to create an extra chance or two per game, their form could turn around.

They will also look at their recent head to head with Swindon and take confidence from it. Despite poor form, they sit above their opponents, and with the one sided nature of recent meetings, they will feel they are the more likely to come through as winners.

Swindon Town vs Colchester United Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 06/01/2024: Swindon 2-2 Colchester.
• 07/11/2023: Colchester 3-1 Swindon.
• 01/01/2023: Colchester 1-0 Swindon.
• 15/10/2022: Swindon 1-0 Colchester.
• 29/01/2022: Colchester 1-1 Swindon.

Historical Head to Head - Swindon: 7. Drawn: 8. Colchester: 14.

Swindon Town vs Colchester United Betting Tip

With the two sides direct neighbors in the League Two table, the game couldn’t be any more closely matched. Swindon have the home advantage, and with Colchester possessing almost exactly the same win/loss record, Swindon will have the narrowest of upper hands in this one, and we reckon they will emerge with a hard-fought, much needed victory.

Swindon Town vs Colchester United Final Prediction

Swindon Town 2-1 Colchester United

Swindon will be desperate to turn their poor form around, and we have seen cup wins boost a team's confidence many times before. An FA Cup win would do them a world of good, and hopefully they will be able to carry that good mood into the league where it is most needed.