Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action as they host Swindon Town on Friday night (7:45pm).
The Exiles will be looking to get their first win in four games after a 3-2 loss away to Port Vale on Saturday.
After losing the first fixture between these sides 4-0 in September, the Amber Army will have a point to prove.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking ahead of tonight's game, Nelson Jardim said: “I look forward to every game, but for the fans, these fixtures are always special. So yes, we’re definitely looking forward to it.
“Every game is massive, but home games are especially important for us.
“In this second half of the season, we have 13 home fixtures and only nine away, so we need to capitalise on that. Swindon is a big match, but we take each game as it comes.
“Tomorrow is another chance to show our strength at Rodney Parade.”
Opposition Form
Swindon Town had a poor start to the season, winning just once in twelve matches under Mark Kennedy. In October, Kennedy was replaced by iconic football league manager, Ian Holloway.
After three years out of management Holloway returned to the industry and has taken charge of 18 matches for the Robins (7 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses). Holloway’s return to the training pitch has seen mixed results but recently a turn of form in the league has pushed Swindon further away from the relegation zone.
Head to Head
Historically, Swindon have had the uperhand in this fixture over the years with 45 wins and 21 draws, losing just 31 in all meetings.
Previous Encounter
The Amber army will have fond memories of their meetings with the Robins last season. Back in February last year, Rodney Parade hosted Swindon as the Exiles came from behind to win 2-1. Goals from former players, Seb Palmer-Houlden and Will Evans, sealed the three points for Newport.
Club captain, Aaron Wildig, was the Man of the Match and assisted the winning goal. The game took place a week after the huge FA cup fourth-round tie game against Manchester United at home.
Shared shirts
There are a number of players who have played for both the Exiles and the Robins. Two of those who will be potentially be facing off against each other on Friday are Luke Jepchott and Ryan Delaney.
Luke Jepchott signed for the Exiles almost a year ago with the Welsh striker coming in on the 25th of January. The striker has made 32 appearances in Amber and Black so far and starred in the emphatic 6-3 win over MK Dons this season, getting three assists.
But before joining Newport County, Jepchott had a spell out on loan at Swindon Town in 2022 where he went on to impress at the County Ground scoring seven in 33 appearances.
Ryan Delaney is another player to have played for the County and at the County Ground. The Irish centre-back left in the summer after making 41 appearances and even wearing the captains armband for large parts of the season. Most notably Delaney captained the Exiles in their 4-2 defeat at home to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Meet The Officials
Benjamin Speedie will be the referee when Newport County host Swindon Town in League Two on Friday night.
The experienced EFL official regularly oversees matches both in League One, League Two and more recently the Championship, and will officiate his first County game of the season.
Read more about his officiating team HERE.
Key Facts
- Newport County have lost just one of their last eight home league games against Swindon Town (W5 D2).
- After winning the reverse fixture 4-0 in September, Swindon Town will be looking to complete a league double over Newport County for the first time since the 1959-60 season.
- After losing their last home league game 2-1 against AFC Wimbledon, Newport will be looking to avoid recording successive such losses at Rodney Parade for the first time this season.
- Swindon have failed to win any of their last eight away league games (D3 L5), conceding 16 goals in total across that time.
