Northampton Town couldn't beat the drop in the third tier last season and so find themselves in League Two this time around with Swindon Town the first visitors to Sixfields.
This serves as a good starting point for the Cobblers on their return to this level and new boss Chris Hogg will have major hopes of starting with a win against a Swindon side who finished in mid-table last season after looking like League Two promotion contenders for a time.
Northampton Town v Swindon Town Tips Summary
Best Bet - Northampton Town to win @ 23/20
Alternative Bet - Matty Warhurst to Score Anytime @ 7/4
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Over 9 corners & Matty Warhurst or Sam Hoskins to score first @ 10/1
Northampton Town v Swindon Town Prediction
Best Bet: Northampton Town to win @ 23/20
Northampton are dropping down a level this season after relegation from League One. A return of just eight points from their final 25 games, including an 11-match losing streak, sent them down.
New boss Hogg will feel he can arrest that decline. He has brought in highly-rated goalkeeper Zack Jeacock and attacking midfielder Logan Briggs - both on loan deals - as well as striker Matty Warhurst from Manchester City's youth production line.
Swindon also faltered last season, albeit in this league. They were second in mid-February but took just 14 points from their last 13 games and dropped down the pecking order to completely miss out on the play-offs.
It may be that the Cobblers have recruited better in the summer and can make home advantage count here.
Alternative Bet: Matty Warhurst to score anytime @ 7/4
The capture of Warhurst from Man City is an eye-catching one for Northampton.
The teenager scored 61 goals in 97 games for the Citizens' youth set-ups, has represented England and was part of the Three Lions' under-17 World Cup squad in 2023.
New Cobblers chief Hogg has praised both his attitude and his finishing ability and there are high expectations of him at this level, despite his tender years. He can mark his League Two debut with a goal.
Northampton Town v Swindon Town Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Over 9 corners
Matty Warhurst or Sam Hoskins to score first
Pays 10/1
Warhurst being fancied to score on his league bow is coupled with the experience of Sam Hoskins for the breakthrough goal.
The 33-year-old forward penned a new deal this summer as he seeks to embellish his record as Town's fourth-highest scorer of all-time.
He's spent more than a decade at the club and has won three promotions, scoring in the decisive match on each occasion. He also found the net the last time these two teams met.
Swindon averaged north of five corners per-game last season, while Northampton took an average of more than five per-game at home in League One, despite their relegation.
These two sides can combine to hit double figures here.
Both teams have scored in the last six meeting of these sides, with at least three goals in five of those games and similar output is anticipated in front of goal now.
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Key Match Stats
This is the first meeting since December 2022 when Swindon were 2-1 winners at Sixfields
The last six meetings here have produced two wins each and two draws
Matty Warhurst scored 61 goals in 97 games for Manchester City's youth sides
Sam Hoskins sits fourth on the Cobblers' all-time goal-scoring list
Although relegated last season, Northampton were 13th in terms of corners taken, with 118 at home
Swindon were seventh in the League Two corners table, taking 243 for an average of 5.28 per game
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
