Blackburn Rovers make the long trip to Plymouth Argyle looking to bounce back from experiencing their first Championship defeat of the season.
At a time when the visitors sit in sixth position in the standings, Plymouth head into Saturday's encounter occupying 18th position.
Match preview
© Imago
Having not lost in the Championship since April 21, there was the impression that Blackburn were beginning to feel invincible under John Eustace.
However, the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City in midweek has brought them back down to earth, highlighting that any team can beat another in the second tier of English football.
Blackburn went into that contest having put together three clean sheets in succession, but they now returning to the drawing board having missed out on moving top of the table.
Rovers have only failed to score in three of their last 12 matches in the Championship, with two of them coming versus Coventry.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that Eustace's side are yet to win away from home in the league during 2023-24, netting just three times in four games.
As for Plymouth, they suffered their fourth defeat in eight Championship matches under Wayne Rooney when they went down 1-0 at Burnley in midweek.
Although there would have been disappointment at the result, there is generally an understanding that the Manchester United and England legend is making an impact at Home Park.
Three of their losses have come by 1-0 scorelines, with the others to Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, with home wins being posted over Sunderland and Luton Town respectively.
Plymouth's home form will be key this campaign and they have only lost once in their last seven encounters in the Championship on familiar territory.
Team News
![Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/wayne-rooney.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Wayne Rooney Manager of Plymouth Argyle thanks their fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road Stadium, London, on 24 August 2024 [on August 25, 2024]")
© Imago
Rooney may decide to change his full-backs, bringing Joe Edwards and Bali Mumba back into the Plymouth XI.
The rest of the starting lineup could stay the same with Rooney likely feeling there has been enough progression with his team to justify that approach.
Changes to the Blackburn side are inevitable after they came up short at Coventry, with Makhtar Gueye among those who could return in the final third.
Lewis Baker and Ryan Hedges are also in contention for starting roles, with Yuki Ohashi potentially one of the attacking contingent to drop out.
Owen Beck again misses out due to his suspension for the red card that he collected at Preston North End.
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Edwards, Szucs, Gibson, Mumba; Whittaker, Gyabi, Randell, Hajj, Cissoko; Hardie
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Carter, Batth, Hyam, Pickering; Tronstad, Travis; Hedges, Baker, Dolan; Gueye
We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
With Plymouth holding a strong home record under Rooney, Blackburn will be up against it to bounce back with a win. Nevertheless, we are backing Rovers to prevail from a hard-fought contest, potentially through a late goal when Plymouth are pushing at the other end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
