Preview: Swindon Town vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

The final game of Group N in the EFL Trophy will take place on Tuesday night when Newport County make the trip to face Swindon Town as they aim to qualify for the knockout stage.

However, in order to do that they will need to be the first team to defeat the Robins in this competition after the squad have been able to win both games so far.

Match preview

Swindon Town have already guaranteed their place in the next stage of the competition after winning the first two games against Plymouth Argyle and Arsenal's Under-23s team.

They sit at the top of the group with six points, but Newport County have the chance to overtake them and end up finishing in first place themselves if they are able to win.

Three points separate the two teams at the moment, but the Robins have been dominant in the competition with their performances, and they head into this game on the back of two victories.

Ben Garner's team have scored three times in both of their recent fixtures and that included a 3-0 victory against Crewe Alexandra in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The club have been dominant as of late, having only lost one of their previous six matches and that confidence is likely to make them a threat on Tuesday night.

The visitors were unable to progress in the FA Cup as they were defeated 1-0 by Morecambe, which brought an end to their four-match undefeated run.

Newport have been strong in the league and only find themselves three points behind their opponents, with both teams currently pushing for promotion.

In the EFL Trophy, James Rowberry's team have managed a win and a defeat so far, kicking things off with a strong 2-0 victory against Plymouth Argyle.

However, that was then followed by a close defeat to Arsenal's Under-23s in a thrilling 4-3 match, but they now trail the young Gunners by a single point, putting pressure onto this fixture.

Team News

Tyreece Simpson has managed to score three times in his previous two performances for Swindon Town, which should see him retain his place leading the line for the club in midweek.

However, the Robins will be without Romoney Crichlow on Tuesday as he missed out during the recent FA Cup game due to injury, with Akin Odimayo expected to stay in the back five.

Rowberry suffered his first defeat as Newport boss on Saturday and he will be looking to respond immediately in this EFL Trophy game, and that could lead to some tweaks to the starting lineup.

Lewis Collins is somebody who could be given an opportunity to start in this game, with the forward being able to provide an attacking threat.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Landolo, Odimayo, Conroy, Baudry, Hayden; Williams, Payne, Reed; Simpson, McKirdy

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Day; Norman, Clarke, Demetriou, Lewis; Willmott, Azaz, Cain, Cooper; Telford, Collins

We say: Swindon Town 2-1 Newport County

Even though this game is more important to Newport County, Swindon Town will not want to lose their grip of the group, hoping to finish things in style.

Each club is in great form throughout the season, which should create a close encounter, yet the attacking qualities of the Robins should be enough to wrap up a perfect trio of wins in the competition.

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