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

One more victory will ensure the Pilgrims cannot be caught by third-placed Sheffield Wednesday, although they will have their work cut out against an in-form Burton side.

Match preview

Plymouth are one step away from returning to the second tier for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign, currently sitting top of the League One table with just two games left to play.

The Pilgrims are five points clear of third-placed Sheffield Wednesday, meaning they could be promoted even with a loss on Saturday, should the Owls be unable to pick up three points away at Shrewsbury Town.

It has been a fantastic campaign for Steven Schumacher's side, and they could even break the 100-point barrier if they win their final two games, which would also ensure they finish the season as champions.

Although they have had some challenging moments during the run-in, losing 3-0 at Barnsley in March, and 2-0 at home to Lincoln City earlier this month, Plymouth have managed to hold their nerve when it matters most, winning their last four league games.

Last time out, the Pilgrims put themselves in a fantastic position to win promotion with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Bristol Rovers at Home Park, courtesy of second-half goals from Niall Ennis and Macaulay Gillesphey.

Burton's task will be to spoil the promotion party, and they are not likely to be pushovers, having been very impressive under the helm of Dino Maamria.

Although they currently sit 16th in the League One standings, the Brewers have collected 44 points from their last 30 games, the ninth-highest total in the division, so they could be competing near the top end of the table next season.

Maamria's side have also taken some notable scalps in recent weeks, defeating Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday at the Pirelli Stadium, while they also managed to hold promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers to a draw.

As such, Burton will head to Home Park knowing they are capable of taking something from the game, particularly considering they put in another impressive performance on Tuesday night, running out 1-0 winners against Lincoln City away from home.

Plymouth Argyle League One form:

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Burton Albion League One form:

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Team News

Plymouth defender Brendan Galloway is expected to miss out, having missed the last two games due to a hamstring issue, so James Wilson, Dan Scarr and Gillesphey are poised to make up a three-man backline.

Mickel Miller has missed the last four matches due to a hamstring strain sustained on Easter Monday, and the left-winger is set to be unavailable again, with Bali Mumba likely to play in a left-wing back role.

Ennis has returned to form at the crucial stage of the season, scoring in his last two games, and the striker should be supported by Danny Mayor and Callum Wright.

One change may be in order for Burton, with striker Gassan Ahadme replacing Dale Taylor in the starting lineup, having scored the winner after coming on as a substitute on Tuesday night.

After an impressive display against Lincoln, Maamria is unlikely to make any other changes to his side, although a more defensive game plan may be required, with wing-backs John Brayford and Zac Ashworth tucking in to create a back five.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Burton; Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey; Edwards, Randell, Butcher, Mumba; Wright, Mayor, Ennis

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

MacGillivray; Shaughnessy, Hughes, Moon; Brayford, Powell, Oshilaja, Ashworth; Helm, Smith, Ahadme

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Burton Albion

With so much on the line, there may be a few nerves for Plymouth on Saturday, but they have kept their cool during recent games, and we expect them to seal promotion.

Burton will make things difficult for the Pilgrims, but they have lost two of their last three League One away matches, and they are unlikely to be able to get a result against the side with the best home record in the division.

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