Swindon v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs. referee, odds, form guide, key stats

The Blues need a victory to get their faltering play-off hopes up and running again, with Danny Cowley’s side looking to end a three-match run without a win.

Swindon meanwhile, could be relegated if Wimbledon and Wigan beat Oxford and Shrewsbury respectively and they fail to beat Pompey.

There’s a lot at stake – both at the top and bottom of the table.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off (6pm).

Swindon team news

Swindon have defensive problems going into tonight's game.

Experienced right-back Paul Caddis is out with a hamstring injury, joining centre-backs Mathieu Baudry and Akinwale Odimayo on the sidelines – although the former is back in training

Dion Conroy is already out for the season for an unspecified issue.

Meanwhile, left-back Rob Hunt is also unavailable despite returning to training during the week.

Forward Ellis Iandolo is also out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring complaint, along with Zeki Fryers.

Caretaker manager Tommy Wright will take charge of the Robins following the club’s acceptance of John Sheridan’s resignation on Sunday.

Predicted line-up

Lee Camp, Jordan Garrick, Tom Broadbent, Anthony Grant, Jonathan Grounds, Jordan Lyden, Jack Payne, Matt Palmer, Scott Twine, Tyler Smith, Brett Pitman. Substitutes: Archie Matthews, Dominic Thompson, Taylor Curran, Christopher Missilou, Joel Grant, Hallam Hope, Tyrese Omotoye.

Pompey team news

Ben Close is set to miss the trip to Swindon.

The midfielder was forced to sit out Saturday’s defeat at MK Dons because of a groin injury.

And despite hope within the Blues camp that it was related to delayed-onset muscle soreness, the problem is expected to keep the 24-year-old out for Pompey’s next two games at least.

That will come as a blow for head coach Danny Cowley, who is already having to manage without a fully-fit Andy Cannon in his engine room and is already withouth Jordy Hiwula, Ellis Harrison and Michael Jacobs.

Jack Whatmough starts the first of his four-match ban following his red card last time out.

However, on a positive note, Lee Brown is close to a return and could be in contention for the trip to the County Ground.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Sean Raggett, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Charlie Daniels, Marcus Harness, George Byers, Tom Naylor, Ryan Williams, John Marquis, Ronan Curtis. Subs: Lewis Ward, James Bolton, Paul Downing, Andy Cannon Haji Mnoga, Harvey White, Alfie Stanley.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Swindon: 3/1

1-0 10/1, 2-0 18/1, 2-1 12/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 33/1

Pompey: 17/20

1-0 13/2, 2-0 8/1, 2-1 15/2, 3-0 16/1, 3-1 14/1, 3-2 25/1

Draw: 11/4

0-0 10/1, 1-1 6/1, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

Referee

Ben Toner

Swindon stats

League position: 24th

Top scorer: Brett Pitman (9)

Top assists: Jack Payne (6)

Most appearances: Jack Payne (43)

Pompey stats

League position: 6th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (48)

Form guide (all competitions)

Swindon: P47 W12 D4 L31

Past five games

L 4-1 AFC Wimbledon (A) – League One

L 2-1 Rochdale (A) – League One

L 3-0 Peterborough (H) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (A) – League One

L 2-0 Blackpool (H) – League One

Pompey: P52 W25 D8 L19

Past five games

L 1-0 MK Dons (A) – League One

D 0-0 Crewe (A) – League One

L 2-1 Burton (H) – League One

W 1-0 Wigan (A) – League One

W 2-1 Rochdale (H) – League One

Other fixtures

Today (all 7pm kick-offs unless stated)

Accrington v Doncaster Rovers, AFC Wimbledon v Oxford United, Bristol Rovers v MK Dons, Burton v Lincoln, Fleetwood v Crewe (7.45pm), Hull v Sunderland (7.45pm), Northampton v Ipswich, Peterborough v Gillingham (7.45pm), Plymouth v Charlton (7.45pm), Rochdale v Blackpool, Shrewsbury v Wigan.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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