Two League Two promotion chasers collide in this rescheduled 2025-26 FA Cup third-round tie, with Salford City vs Swindon Town in their first-ever cup meeting.
Salford, sitting just outside the top three on goal difference (43 points from 24 games), aim for their maiden fourth-round appearance. Swindon, second in the league with a three-point edge, last reached round four in 2022 (losing to Manchester City).
Both sides enter with strong form—Salford unbeaten in seven league games, Swindon winning four of five recent outings—but Salford’s recent dominance in head-to-heads (winning the last two home clashes) and home advantage could tilt the scales.
Salford City vs Swindon Town Date, Time, Team News and How to watch
- Tournaments: FA Cup 2025-26
- Date: January 20, 2026
- Venue: Peninsula Stadium, Salford, England
- Kick-off: 19:45 local time (GMT, 00:15 IST on January 21, 14:45 ET)
Team News
- Salford City: Out due to injury: Tom Edwards, Jay Bird, Dan Chesters, Michael Rose, Kadeem Harris. Doubts: Ben Woodburn (knock), Ossama Ashley (illness). Haji Mnoga returns from international duty with Sierra Leone at AFCON. New signing Zach Awe (from Southampton) could debut.
- Swindon Town: Out: Paul Glatzel (season-ending hamstring surgery). Suspended: Ollie Clarke (fifth game of seven-match ban). Possible returns: Tom Wilson-Brown, Joe Snowdon, Billy Bodin (all fitness tests). Filozofe Mabete available after recovering from injury.
Path to the 3rd Round
- Salford City: Overcame League Two rivals Barrow (2-1) in round one and non-league Scarborough Athletic (3-0) in round two. FA Cup form: WW. Overall recent: DWWW DW.
- Swindon Town: Edged past non-league Rushall Olympic (2-1) and League One Cheltenham (2-0). FA Cup form: WW. Overall recent: LWWL WW.
Head-to-head: 5 meetings
Salford unbeaten in last 3 (WWD); last Swindon win: 2-1 away in Feb 2022. Salford won 3-2 at home in the league this season (Sep 2025).
- Salford 3 wins
- Swindon 1 win
- 1 draw.
Salford City vs Swindon Town Starting XI
- Salford City (3-5-2): Young; Turton, Oluwo, Garbutt; Mnoga, Cesay, Grant, Butcher, N’Mai; Borini, Udoh.
- Swindon Town (3-5-2): Ripley; Wright, Tafazolli, Mabete; McGregor, Kilkenny, Nichols, Munroe; Oldaker; Drinan, Palmer.
Prediction
This promises a tight, end-to-end affair between evenly matched sides, but Salford’s strong home record (unbeaten in last seven at Peninsula Stadium) and recent edge over Swindon give them the nod.
Expect goals, with Salford’s attacking duo of Borini and Udoh exploiting Swindon’s defensive absences.
Salford to advance to the fourth round, potentially facing Manchester City.
- Predicted score: Salford City 2-1 Swindon Town
How to Watch Salford City vs Swindon Town
- US: Stream live on ESPN+
- UK: Not selected for main TV broadcast; check TNT Sports, BBC iPlayer, or ITV for potential coverage. Highlights on BBC Match of the Day or FA Cup YouTube channel post-match.
- India/Other Regions: ESPN+ or local sports networks; VPN for geo-restricted streams. Free highlights on FA Cup official site or YouTube.
