Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Harrogate and Swindon Town square off against each other at EnviroVent Stadium on day 42 of the current League Two campaign. Despite suffering back-to-back losses to Colchester and Salford, Harrogate are safe for now, but they can’t afford any complacency in the season finale. Mark Oxley is a major doubt, with Joe Cracknell being ready to step up. The Robins, on the other hand, aim to keep their playoffs hopes alive.
Swindon Town want this win more than Harrogate, and we predict that they will prove their worth on the field. Louis Reed returned from suspension at the weekend, while Brandon Cooper faces race against clock to be fit for Friday’s clash. Anyhow, we predict that the playoffs-chasing visitors are going to pick up all three points from the match. You should know that Swindon are eyeing their 11th away win of the process.
Highlighted Player (Mark Oxley):
Born in Sheffield, England, on the 2nd of June, 1990, Oxley's football journey started as a Rotherham youth product. The English International signed his first professional contract with the Millers in 2007 but failed to make a single appearance for the club during that season.
The following season, he signed for Hull City, who, in turn, sent him out on successive loans to clubs like Walsall, Grimbsy Town, Oldham Athletic, and Hibernian. The 6ft 3-inch goalkeeper's professional debut meanwhile, came on the 27th of February, 2010, playing for Grimbsy in a 2-0 away loss to Dagenham in League Two. Oxley's performance during his six-month loan period with Hibernian earned him a permanent deal. He signed a two-year contract starting with the club in July 2015. In his time at the Scottish outfit, he made 90 appearances and kept 35 clean sheets. Oxley then joined his current club Southend in July 2016 on an initial two-year deal.
He had a fantastic first season, winning both fans' player of the year and players' player of the year awards. As of August 2018, Oxley has signed a contract extension and also got given the captain's armband. On the International forefront, the 29-year-old is a former youth International having capped once for England at the under-18 level.
Highlighted Team (Swindon):
Founded by Reverend William Pitt of Liddington in 1879, Swindon Town are an English football club which compete in the League Two. The Robins welcome their rivals at County Ground, the stadium which can hold up to 15,728 spectators (all-seated), with the team wearing red shirts and white shorts when playing at home.
Gray is the dominant colour of the club which turned professional in 1894. Oxford United are considered the team’s main rivals, but the Robins have rivalries with Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, and Reading as well. In 1969 Swindon Town did remarkably well to win the English League Cup, with the team beating Arsenal 3-1 in the title game at Wembley Stadium.
John Trollope is the club’s player with most appearances as he played 889 first-team games from 1960 to 1980. Premier League attacker Charlie Austin is one of the most notable footballers who played for Swindon Town in the past.