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Plymouth Argyle
League One | Gameweek 31
Feb 11, 2023 at 3pm UK
Home Park
Portsmouth

Plymouth
3 - 1
Portsmouth

Cosgrove (24'), Azaz (70'), Hardie (90+4')
Matete (73'), Butcher (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Hackett-Fairchild (79')
Raggett (85'), Bishop (87')

Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. Portsmouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday knocked them off the top of the League One table, Plymouth Argyle will look to return to winning ways when they welcome Portsmouth to Home Park on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, currently sit in and with nine points separating them from the top six, they have their work cut out if they are to mount a serious playoff charge.


Match preview

Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher celebrates after the match on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Plymouth enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten league run before they were beaten 1-0 in their away meeting with promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

Callum Paterson's seventh-minute strike proved to be the decisive goal, which condemned Plymouth to their first away defeat in the league since August.

The result enabled Sheffield Wednesday to leapfrog Plymouth to the top of the table on goal difference, but the Pilgrims do hold a six-point cushion over third-place Ipswich Town.

Despite failing to find the net last weekend, the Pilgrims are still the second-highest scorers in the third-tier, racking up 51 goals in their 29 matches this season.

Having won 13 and only lost one of their 14 home games in League One this season, Plymouth also boasts the best home record in the division, which will give them a reason to be confident of claiming all three points on Saturday.

Meanwhile, John Mousinho began his tenure as Portsmouth boss with consecutive victories, but his side have had to settle for just one point from their last two games.

In their most recent outing, Portsmouth faced a Barnsley side who currently sit in the final playoff position, and they looked set to claim a victory that would have reduced the gap to six points following Colby Bishop's opener.

However, the Tykes equalised in the 89th minute through Liam Kitching, and as a result of the 1-1 draw, Pompey remain nine points adrift of the playoffs.

Eleven of Portsmouth's 27 league games this season have finished all square - only Lincoln have drawn more games in the third tier - and if Pompey are to close the gap to the top six, they need to start consistently winning matches.

Although they will be looking to become just the second team to win an away league game against Plymouth this season, Portsmouth's recent form on their travels suggests that may prove to be a difficult task with only one of their last seven competitive away matches yielding a victory.

Plymouth Argyle League One form:


Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):


Portsmouth League One form:


Portsmouth form (all competitions):



Team News

Plymouth are without the services of Michael Cooper for the rest of the season, after the goalkeeper sustained a serious knee injury in the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Callum Burton replaced Cooper in the first half, and the 26-year-old will be Plymouth's last line of defence on Saturday.

Dan Scarr is also expected to miss out after he picked up an injury last weekend, while Brendan Galloway remains sidelined for the Pilgrims.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call Clark Robertson, Jay Mingi, Ronan Curtis and Tom Lowery due to injury issues.

Following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Joe Rafferty was involved in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the week, and he could be fit enough to take up a place on the bench on Saturday as he awaits his first competitive appearance since September.

After making his Pompey debut last weekend, Manchester United loanee Di'Shon Bernard is set to retain his place in the side with Mousinho expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Burton; Wilson, Lonwijk, Gillesphey; Edwards, Houghton, Matete, Mumba; T. Wright, Azaz, Hardie

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Macey; Bernard, Raggett, Towler, Ogilvie; Tunnicliffe, Pack, Morrell; Dale, Jacobs, Bishop


SM words green background

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Portsmouth

Plymouth have been in impressive form at Home Park this season, and after winning 13 of their 14 home league games, we think they will edge out Portsmouth to claim a narrow victory on Saturday,

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Plymouth vs Portsmouth

Plymouth Argyle
85.0%
Draw
10.0%
Portsmouth
5.0%
20
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Portsmouth2458113041-1123
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


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