Forest Green Rovers host Swindon Town, who sit on top of the tree, in our last game before Christmas

The pair shared the gifts of a point each last time they met at The New Lawn, back in August 2018, where t-shirts were more the order of the day than Christmas jumpers and Santa’s hats.

Get your stocking filled on all you need to know ahead of the League Two clash here…

What we said:

“It's always good to play against good teams and test yourself. We've played some really good football and Swindon are doing really well. They have got two strikers in red hot form and that is the difference. They look like they'll be a real threat this season,” said head coach Mark Cooper.

"You have to concentrate on what you are doing and if you have enough of the ball at the right end, you limit their chances. Swindon score a lot of goals from counter attacks, they have a lot of pace and in Eoin Doyle, they have the top marksman in the EFL.

"(Richie Wellens) has done very well, got some good players and some good forwards and has done really well."

What they said:

"Forest Green are a good team – they’ve got some good footballers and were unlucky in the play-offs last year,” said manager Richie Wellens.

“You wouldn’t like them on your goals galore coupon because it’s been 1-0 either way quite a lot.“We’ll go there and attack – we’ve got goals in us and we’ll try to score like we have been.”

“It doesn’t matter (about the table).

“There are teams who are not quite getting results at the moment that will turn it around and start picking up.”

Team news:

Forest Green:

Defender Udoka Godwin-Malife is back available for selection having missed the last match through concussion protocol.

Fellow defensive partner Farrend Rawson could miss the game through illness.

George Williams continues to make strides in his return from a broken leg, doing more work in the gym this week.

Swindon:

Midfielder Jordan Lyden will be a late decision for Richie Wellens, having missed last weekend’s game against Oldham Athletic.

Other than that, Swindon have a clean bill of health ahead of the match at The New Lawn.

About: Swindon

Today’s visitors are arguably one of, if not, the biggest side in League Two at present, so it is no surprise that they find themselves atop the tree heading into today’s game.

From their lofty days of the likes of Ozzie Ardiles, Lou Macari and Glen Hoddle gracing the County Ground, to playing in the Premiership with the likes of Jan Åge Fjørtoft scoring against Manchester United, sparking the famous plane celebration, Swindon have a great history.

However, in recent times, they have found themselves in the bottom tier of the English Football League and are desperate to get themselves back heading in the right direction.

The last time they got themselves out of the division, the vivacious Italian of Paolo Di Canio was in charge back in 2012 as they claimed the league title.

They twice made the play-offs in League One, once under current Forest Green Rovers head coach Mark Cooper, but were relegated back to League Two in 2017.

Richie Wellens is now the man in charge, tasked with returning the Robins back to League One.

Key Player: Eoin Doyle

Affectionately known as the Ginger Pele, the Irishman’s first few months in a Swindon shirt were incredible – 18 goals in his first 17 games put him ten goals ahead of the rest of League Two (fellow Town forward Jerry Yates was closest) by the start of December.

It was no surprise that he was awarded the League Two Player of the Month for November, with Swindon claiming the double with manager Richie Wellens.

He has scored in every one of Swindon’s last nine games and will prove a tough test for the FGR defence.

Last time we met:

It took until February last season for Forest Green Rovers to fall to defeat in the league by a margin of more than one goal, as they lost away to Swindon Town 2-0.

Swindon took the lead through a former Forest Green player as Kaiyne Woolery cut in from the right before curling in off the post and Theo Robinson doubled their advantage a minute before the break.

Despite George Williams seeing a shot tipped onto the post and an effort chalked off for offside, FGR were unable to turn around the deficit in the second half.

Swindon broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. Woolery was given time down the right flank to run at the FGR defence before curling his strike in off the far post.

In the 44th minute Theo Robinson doubled the hosts’ lead as he was given time in the box to turn and fire past the hapless Ward.

Head-to-head:

This will be the eighth meeting between the two teams in all competitions, with Swindon having the edge in the league, winning three of the four games.

While FGR still await a first victory in the league, they have had better luck in cup competitions, winning in both the League Cup and EFL Trophy.

Coverage

This game will be available to watch live if you live abroad by subscribing HERE or you can listen to the game with our audio service HERE both abroad or in the UK.

If watching on a mobile device, you will need to download the FGR TV app to be able to watch or listen to the match. A full list of frequently asked questions can be found HERE.

Please contact fgrtv@streamamg.com if you have any issues with your FGR Live account.

Full commentary of Saturday’s match will also be available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on 1413AM.

Stay up to date also on Twitter and Instagram by following @FGRFC_Official, which will have all of the team news before kick-off and updates throughout the game.

There will also be key updates and team news on Facebook. Round-up the clash by checking out the club website where there will be a full report looking back on the encounter.