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

At a time when the home side hold a seven-point lead in the automatic promotion spots, Exeter sit in seventh place, four points adrift of the playoffs.

Match preview

Given the teams that continue to chase them down, Plymouth will only be taking one match at a time as they bid to extend their current 12-match unbeaten streak.

Nevertheless, there is also growing confidence within Steven Schumacher's squad that they can collect points in different ways after that run of games without defeat came under threat last time out.

Despite trailing by a goal to Shrewsbury Town heading into the final quarter, Plymouth were 2-1 ahead by the 83rd minute and successfully saw out the closing stages.

While Schumacher may have concerns that just one clean sheet has been kept in five games, momentum is building at Home Park as they look to outshine several bigger clubs in the race for promotion.

Niall Ennis and Morgan Whittaker both got on the scoresheet last time out, taking their respective tallies to six goals in the third tier this campaign.

From Exeter's perspective, newly-appointed boss Gary Caldwell is still getting used to life at the club and back in management after three years out of the dugout.

However, the Scot would have taken nothing but positives as his new side earned a goalless draw at Derby County in midweek, the squad continuing to bounce back from having recently conceded four goals in three successive matches.

On the back of promotion last season, Exeter are performing considerably above expectations, yet there will be a belief that they can stay in contention for a surprise playoff spot.

That said, they will be attempting to become the first team to take points off Plymouth at their home ground this season, the toughest task in the EFL when taking into consideration that their hosts have conceded just three times in eight games.

Plymouth Argyle League One form:

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D

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Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

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D

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Exeter City League One form:

D

W

L

L

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D

Exeter City form (all competitions):

W

L

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L

W

D

Team News

Schumacher may be forced into at least one change to his Plymouth XI after Finn Azaz sustained an ankle injury during the Shrewsbury match.

With Ennis scoring after being introduced as his replacement, the forward could be introduced into the starting lineup.

Joe Edwards and Sam Cosgrove are also pushing for opportunities having contributed to the comeback against the Shropshire outfit.

After suffering a head injury during the closing stages against Derby, goalkeeper Jamal Blackman is likely to miss out for Exeter.

Teenage stopper Harry Lee is in line to make his first League One start if Blackman is forced to sit on the sidelines, and that could represent the solitary change after the performance at Pride Park.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Wilson, Lonwijk, Butcher; Edwards, Randell, Houghton, Mumba; Whittaker, Ennis; Cosgrove

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Lee; Key, Sweeney, Hartridge; Caprice, Collins, Dieng, Sparkes; Brown; Stansfield, Nombe

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Exeter City

Having come through their last two matches unbeaten, Exeter will fancy their chances of causing a surprise against the form side in the entire EFL. However, we cannot back against Plymouth, even if they may have to work hard to eventually get over the line against their South-West rivals.

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