The English League Two return with a fresh set of fixtures as Barrow play host to Swindon on Saturday. Both sides head into the game off the back of contrasting results, with the Robins kicking off their EFL Trophy campaign with a hard-earned victory over Reading.
FootballWhispers’ Barrow vs Swindon prediction takes a look at the chances of both teams securing all three points at Holker Street.
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Barrow vs Swindon prediction: Swindon to open the scoring
Key stats
- Barrow have failed to win eight of their last 10 League Two matches, losing four and claiming four draws since claiming successive victories over MK Dons and Walsall in April.
- Swindon are unbeaten in five of their most recent six League One away games, picking up four wins and one draw while scoring 15 goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time.
- Barrow have managed just one win from their last six competitive home matches while losing three and claiming two draws since mid-April.
- Swindon have opened the scoring in four of their most recent five games while they have scored at least three goals in all but one of their last 13 matches since the start of pre-season.
Correct score prediction: Barrow 1-2 Swindon
While it has been a topsy-turvy start to the campaign for Barrow, Swindon appear to have hit their stride and will head into the weekend with confidence. The Robins have won their first two games on the road this term, scoring five goals in the process and we are backing them to come out on top at Holker Street.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Benfica heavy favourites
- HOME: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 8/5 (2.60) – 38.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
While Barrow and Swindon head into the weekend in contrasting form, they are almost evenly matched on paper, as indicated by their win probabilities.
While the Bluebirds are 37% likely to secure maximum points according to the bookmakers, Swindon are slightly favoured, with a 38.5% win probability.
Barrow were denied successive victories for the first time this season last Saturday when they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Fleetwood on home turf.
Swindon, on the other hand, kicked off the 2025-26 EFL Trophy campaign on a high as they picked up a 3-1 victory over Reading on Tuesday.
For more from the upcoming weekend fixtures, you can take a look at some of FootballWhispers’ best picks and predictions in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Swindon the dominant side
Swindon holds a clear upper hand in this fixture over the most recent 10 meetings between the two teams, having picked up five wins in that time, three more than Barrow’s two.
England League 2 18/01/25
Swindon
Barrow
England League 2 07/09/24
Barrow
Swindon
England League 2 06/04/24
Barrow
Swindon
England League 2 16/12/23
Swindon
Barrow
England League 2 15/04/23
Swindon
Barrow
Barrow preview: In need of a morale-boosting result
Barrow were left empty-handed once again last Saturday when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Fleetwood at Holker Street.
Fleetwood made the most of their numerical advantage after Niall Canavan was sent off inside the opening 10 minutes as Ryan Graydon struck in the 37th minute to inspire them to a first win in five games.
Barrow have now lost five of their opening seven matches across all competitions this season, a run which saw them crash out of the EFL Cup in the first round courtesy of a 1-0 defeat against Preston North End on August 12.
Off the back of a 16th-placed finish in the league last season, Andrew Whing’s men have collected six points from the first 18 available this term to sit 18th in the League Two standings, level on points with 17th-placed Colchester.
Predicted lineup: Stanway (GK), Raglan, Canavan, Shipley, Booty, Barkhuizen, Smith, Earing, Jackson, Walker & Whitfield
Last five matches
- Barrow 0-1 Fleetwood
- Colchester 0-2 Barrow
- Harrogate 1-0 Barrow
- Barrow 2-1 Notts County
- Barrow 0-1 Preston
Swindon preview: Out to secure a fourth straight victory
Swindon had to dig deep in their EFL Trophy Group D opener against Reading on Tuesday as they picked up a 3-2 victory when the two sides squared off at the Nigel Eady County Ground.
After falling two goals behind inside 24 minutes, an own goal from Lewis Ward and Jack Marriott’s 44th-minute strike helped Fleetwood level matters before the half-time interval, but Will Wright struck in the 47th minute to hand the hosts all three points.
Swindon have now won three games on the bounce, including successive wins over Shrewsbury and Crewe in the league, having managed just two wins from the first five games to start the season.
Ian Holloway’s men could move top of the League Two standings this weekend as they currently occupy fifth place with 12 points from six games, two points off league leaders Gillingham.
Predicted lineup: Ward (GK), Write, Mabete, Delaney, McGregor, Clarke, Butterworth, Kirkman, Oldaker, Glatzel & Drinan
Last five matches
- Swindon 3-2 Reading
- Crewe 0-3 Swindon
- Swindon 2-1 Shrewsbury
- Swindon 0-2 Barnet
- Oldham 1-2 Swindon
Player to watch – Aaron Drinan
Following an underwhelming first season with Swindon, Aaron Drinan looks like a man on a mission this term and the 27-year-old striker will be one to look out for at Holker Street.
Having netted just six goals in 28 league appearances last campaign, the Irishman has found the back of the net three times for the Robins already, including two goals in the most recent two league matches.
Drinan did not feature in the EFL Trophy victory over Reading on Tuesday but should make the XI this weekend, teaming up with Darren Oldaker and Paul Glatzel at the attacking end of the pitch.