Swindon Town’s first fixture after the international break will be a tough test against seventh placed Blackpool.
The Reds went into the international break on a wave of confidence, having recorded back-to-back away victories against Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.
In the latter, Jack Payne’s solo effort overcame Joey Barton’s Rovers side 1-0 at the Memorial Park, moving The Reds out of the relegation zone and into 19th position.
As well as another vital three points it was also a second consecutive away clean sheet for the first time this season for Town.
However, in spite of the victories and the two consecutive clean sheets, League One is far from being decided and with only five points separating 24th position and 19th place, Town have well and truly entered the period where every match is a cup final.
In the reverse fixture between The Reds and The Tangerines, all the way back in September, it was the home side who took the points at Bloomfield Road with a 2-0 victory.
Goals either side of half-time by CJ Hamilton consigned Town to their first League One defeat of the season, but both sides will be coming into the contest with vastly different teams and form.
History between the two sides indicates it is almost always a tough match between the two sides with 17 draws out of 37 matches played between 1969 and 2020.
The opposition:
Neil Critchley’s side are enjoying a very promising season and are in an excellent position to force themselves into the play-off places.
Only one point currently separates Blackpool from the play-off places as 6th placed Gillingham only just have their noses in front of them.
However, Blackpool have four games in hand over their rivals and are not yet out of the race for the automatic promotion places either.
Swindon fans do not need to be informed on who Blackpool’s dangerman is, as he enjoyed an unforgettable spell at The County Ground in Town’s promotion as League Two champions last season.
Jerry Yates has taken to League One like a duck to water, hammering home 15 league goals for The Tangerines this season.
While Yates generally operated off the left-hand side during his time in Wiltshire, he has been played through the middle by Critchley this season as the lone striker in a free flowing 4-2-3-1 formation.
As well as an uncanny ability in finding the net, Blackpool are also strong defensively boasting one of the best defensive records in League One this season.
Town will need to be at their best in this game, which is shaping up to be an exciting contest.
How to watch:
The match will be available to live stream on iFollow STFC for a fee of £10 to those who do not have a Season Ticket.
