Town will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the League Two season, following last weekend's 0-0 away draw with Doncaster, as they look to make it six games without defeat against Sutton on Saturday.
Sutton has had a tough start to this season's league campaign, currently sitting on three points and occupying the 23rd position in the league, as Town look to take advantage of their recent good form at The County Ground.
A lowdown on the hosts
The U's have had a mixed start to their 2023/24 Sky Bet League 2 campaign. With a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Notts County before going on to lose their next five league fixtures. However, in cup competitions so far is where Sutton has impressed most, defeating League One sides Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers to reach the third round of the competition.
This is no surprise given their “giant killing” exploits of previous seasons, most notably in the 1988–89 season, when they defeated Coventry City 2–1 in the third round, as well as reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, beating three Football League teams (including Leeds United) before losing to Arsenal back in 2016-17.
Based in South London, Sutton's history dates to 1898 when they spent their early days in the local leagues, but quickly progressed into the Athenian League in 1921; the Isthmian League in 1964; and the Conference in 1986. A mixed few seasons followed with the team falling back into the Isthmian League in 1991 having won the Athenian League three times (1927–28, 1945–46 and 1957–58) and the Isthmian League five times (1966–67, 1984–85, 1985–86) before going on to achieve this feat again in 1998–99 and 2010–11.
They appeared in the Conference for one more season in 1999–2000 and were founding members of the Conference South (now known as National League South) in 2004. Just over 10 years later, Sutton would go on to conquer both levels of the National League, winning the National League South in 2015–16 and achieving their very first promotion to the Football League after winning the National League title in the 2020–21 season.
Since this promotion, Sutton has become a well-accomplished League Two side, with Matt Gray and his team looking to turn their recent fortunes around today.
Last time out
With Sutton having the last laugh in the last meeting between the two sides at Gander Green Lane, it's Swindon who had the bragging rights the last time the two teams met at The County Ground and also overall in previous meetings, claiming four out of the five as victories between the teams.
A last-minute Jacob Wakeling strike gave Town all three points last time at The County Ground almost a year to the day, with the game finishing 3-2, after goals from Tyrese Shade and Jonny Williams cancelling out a brace from now-Notts County winger Will Randall.
Head-to-head
81/82: Swindon Town 2-1 Sutton
21/22: Sutton 1-2 Swindon Town
21/22: Swindon Town 2-1 Sutton
22/23: Swindon Town 3-2 Sutton
22/23: Sutton United 2-1 Swindon Town
The manager: Matt Gray
He previously had spells as assistant manager at Eastleigh, Aldershot and Crawley, while as a player he began his career with Tottenham and played for Cardiff, Hayes and Havant & Waterlooville before being forced to retire early through injury.
Appointed to his first managerial role at the beginning of May 2019 following the resignation of Paul Doswell, having originally joined the coaching staff the previous December, his second season in charge saw Sutton earn promotion to the EFL as National League champions, and he then guided U's to an 8th placed finish in the club's first League Two season as well as a Wembley appearance in the Papa Johns Trophy final.
One to watch: Omari Patrick
A recent addition to the Sutton United ranks, the 27-year-old will be looking to create and cause problems this weekend, after a promising start to life in SM1.
The forward scored 21 goals in 109 appearances for previous side Carlisle during two spells but turned down the offer of a new deal this summer.
He scored a crucial goal during last season's League Two play-off final as the Cumbrians beat Stockport on penalties and sealed promotion.
Looking into his latest form, three goals in six games in League Two means he will be a goal threat for Swindon, with Town hoping their recent positive defensive performances in back-to-back clean sheets will keep them confident they can keep him quiet.
