Swindon Town

vs

Chesterfield

Tips, Stats and Odds

Ian Holloway’s high-energy, fluid football system has given Swindon Town a new lease of life since he took over in October 2024. The Robins can be set up with either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system, depending on the personnel and opposition, but always with a flexible structure that allows for positional interchanges and quick turnovers in transition.

Swindon’s newfound ability to put teams under pressure and score goals on the counterattack makes them dangerous in a way they weren’t when they were only able to score at the end of long passages of play in the opposition half. Swindon have had five recent games, winning one, drawing two and losing two, which leaves them in eighth with 75 points from 45 games, just one point behind Chesterfield in seventh.

Aaron Drinan is Holloway’s main man up top with 21 goals in 39 League Two appearances this term and two of Swindon’s last five goals. The physical striker has a knack for finding pockets of space and exploiting defensive lines, particularly at home.

Chesterfield are in great form, unbeaten in their last five games with three wins and two draws. Paul Cook’s side beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at home and then held Fleetwood Town to a 1-1 draw in Lancashire last time out.

The Spireites are possession-based, up-tempo and play with lots of width, which gives them the ability to overload wide areas and cause problems for defenders that like to sit back. Cook’s men rely on build-up play and control of tempo, which have made them a tough opponent to break down since he arrived in February 2022.

Lee Bonis leads the way with 11 goals in 44 League Two outings and has scored three of Chesterfield’s last five. He has the movement and finishing ability to be a constant threat in a possession-based system, which this is.

The 2.89 about Swindon winning this game is generous considering Holloway’s side have a recent advantage in the head-to-head and have a better home record in the division. The Robins won 2-1 at Chesterfield five months ago and could have enough about them to edge a close matchup on Saturday.

Cook’s team are a different prospect now and have avoided defeat in their last two away games, winning once and drawing once. But the Spireites have not won on their trip to Swindon Town yet and it would take an excellent performance to do so against such an energetic and dynamic opponent. So I’m going to back the hosts to edge a game where both teams will score and goals are likely at both ends.