Swindon face Exeter in their first game of 2019, on the back of three draws in a row in Sky Bet League Two.
Town rounded off 2018 with a 0-0 draw away at Mansfield – who have only lost once this campaign – and now sit 14th in the division sitting seven points off the play-offs.
After their consecutive draws before the New Year, the Robins could draw four in a row for the first time since the end of the 2017/18 campaign where they were matched up by Morecambe, Crawley, Carlisle and Yeovil.
The Oppo
When Town last faced the Devonshire side they were second and four points off top-side Lincoln City. After that, Exeter didn’t win a single game in the league until mid-December drawing four and losing four in their eight-game winless streak.
However, over the Christmas period they’ve won three in four beating Crewe, Oldham and Yeovil before a loss at home to Grimsby.
Jayden Stockley is their top scorer and joint-top of the League Two scoring charts alongside James Norwood of Tranmere – he’s scored 16 goals so far this season just over a third of their total goals this season.
Head-to-Head
04 Oct 2011 Exeter City v Swindon Town W 1-2 Johnstones Paint Trophy
11 Aug 2015 Swindon Town v Exeter City L 1-2 League Cup
08 Nov 2016 Exeter City v Swindon Town D 1-1 Football League Trophy
12 Aug 2017 Swindon Town v Exeter City D 1-1 League Two
24 Mar 2018 Exeter City v Swindon Town L 3-1 League Two
13 Oct 2018 Exeter City v Swindon Town L 2-0 League Two
The Gaffer
Matt Taylor was appointed Exeter manager on June 1st 2018 following the departure of Paul Tisdale. He is the second youngest manager in the EFL behind Fleetwood’s Joey Barton, at the age of 36.
Exeter was the place he spent most time as a player where he played 172 times from 2007 to 2011 – Taylor played as a defender. He spent his youth career at Everton before spending time at Burscough, Rossendale United, Matlock Town, Hucknall Town, Halifax, Guiseley and Team Bath.
After seven years outside the Football League, he joined the Grecians and played in the 2008 Conference Play-Off Final where they beat Cambridge United, 1-0.
Taylor went on to play for Bradford City, Cheltenham, Newport County and Bath City, where he would end his playing career.
The 36-year-old returned to Devon in 2016 as a defensive coach and, last season, impressed as under-23 manager at St. James’ Park before getting the top job following Tisdale’s departure.
