The Robins V The Magpies

Form Guide

Swindon sit in fourth place in League 2, just a point off the third automatic promotion slot. On 46 points, they lead Notts by eight points going into the fixture. Paul Sturrock's side have been inconsistent recently, with three wins and two defeats in the league. It appears the Robins struggle against the lesser sides, with Mansfield and Macclesfield victors over them this month. However, they have beaten promotion hunting Walsall and Wycombe, aswell as Bristol Rovers.

Eighth placed Notts have been much more consistent through December, though in a bad way. Four defeats and just the one win sees them slipping behind the Playoff's, which they now trail by four points, despite sitting in them comfortably for a number of weeks through October and November.

History

Oakes: Hero last time, if only he could be again

At Meadow Lane in September, Swindon headed to Nottingham as leaders, under the stewardship of Denis Wise who then moved to Leeds United. They left with a point after an Alan White and Kevin Pilkington mix up allowed Fola Onibuje to strike them ahead after 47 minutes. White atoned for his error with a bullet header to share the points on the 67^th minute.

There was no meeting last season, though an Fa Cup tie in the 2004/2005 season saw Notts beat the Robins in a televised replay at Meadow Lane. A last minute Stefan Oakes cracker levelled things in the opening game, before a Gavin Gordon brace saw Notts through in the replay to face Middlesbrough in Round 3.

However, Notts have lost a massive eighteen of their 27 visits to the County Ground. Their last two league performances there have seen a 4-0 and 5-0 defeat.

Team News

Swindon's big casualty is former Nottingham Forest hothead Steve Evans. The midfielder will miss out after having his leg holed up in plaster. Curtis Weston is also absent after a training ground injury. Ashan Holgate and Andy Caton are ruled out.

Notts will have Lawrie Dudfield and Ian Ross back in their starting eleven, after both recovered from illness. Daryl McMahon is still feeling the effects and misses the trip. Mike Edwards is the big concern with a head cold, whilst Alan White is expected to recover from the same illness.

Notts possible: Pilkington, Silk, White, Edwards, McCann, Pipe, Smith, Ross, Parkinson, Lee, Dudfield.

Managers view:

Evans...May be missing, but won't be missed

Paul Sturrock told Swindon's Official Site: “Notts County are one of several sides chasing the Playoff pack. They have been right on the coat-tails of the Playoff places for a while and we will have to be on our guard against them. They are a big side and have some good players. After a defeat at Stockport County on Tuesday they will be looking to get back on track and we could have a game on our hands.”

Steve Thompson told Notts' Official Site: “The message I have tried to get across to the lads is by all means be disappointed, but don't be downhearted. Swindon are a good side and I expect a very tough game. They will have a good crowd behind them aswell.

“They possibly play a bit more football than they did under Denis Wise. I think Sturrock is trying to play some more football. In Roberts and Peacock they have two excellent strikers and we will have to be on top of our game to beat them.”

Drapes' Prediction: Swindon to be shocked, Robins 1-1 Notts