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

The visitors suffered a crushing defeat on home soil at the weekend and must bounce back to avoid being sucked closer to danger.

Match preview

After blitzing League One, racking up 101 points in taking the title last season, Plymouth have had a mixed start back in the second tier.

Three wins and four defeats in their opening nine games suggests it is not surprising they are currently marooned in mid-table.

Argyle claimed another draw at the weekend though away at Hull City - their first since the second week of the season.

Plymouth's quite erratic start means it is never clear what is coming next with Steven Schumacher's side, as they lost 4-1 at Bristol City last week, but followed it with a 6-2 win over Norwich City four days later.

One thing has been evident this season and that is that Plymouth are much stronger at home, taking nine of their 11 points here so far - the largest proportion of any side in the Championship.

The hosts have already beaten Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town here too - scoring three on both occasions - as well as that thumping Norwich win.

Millwall come into the game level on points with Plymouth, but have reached that tally in much different circumstances.

Gary Rowett's men have scored 10 fewer goals and suffered some bruising home defeats - including two 3-0s and a 4-0 at the Den.

One of those 3-0 reverses came at the weekend when Swansea City recorded a big victory despite Millwall having almost treble the amount of shots and much more of the attacking play.

All of Millwall's wins so far this season have come against sides below them, so they will need to rectify that issue if they are to take three points here.

Rowett has seen his side struggle to build on those rare victories too, as successes over Stoke City and Rotherham United were both followed by a draw and a defeat.

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

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Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

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Millwall Championship form:

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Team News

Lewis Gibson missed Plymouth's weekend encounter with a late injury, with Macaulay Gillesphey filling in for the defender.

Plymouth's other ex-Everton defender Brendan Galloway is also absent, along with goalkeeper Michael Cooper and youngster Saxon Earley.

Ryan Hardie has adapted excellent at this level and will likely be Argyle's main attacking threat, as his five goals and three assists means no other player has as many goal involvements in the division.

Millwall were able to welcome George Honeyman back to the matchday squad at the weekend after an injury layoff.

Despite not getting onto the pitch, Honeyman may be given minutes here due to potential rotation.

Scottish international Kevin Nisbet returned from a brief absence to start at the weekend, but missed a gilt-edged chance at 2-0 which proved costly, and could cost him his place in the side.

Millwall will be without Shaun Hutchinson (calf) and keeper Matija Sarkic (muscle) for this trip to Devon.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Pleguezelo, Scarr, Gillesphey; Edwards, Mumba, Randell, Houghton; Whittaker, Hardie, Azaz

Millwall possible starting lineup:

Bialkowski; Leonard, Cooper, Wallace; Norton-Cuffie, Longman, De Norre, Fleming, Honeyman; Watmore, Bradshaw

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Millwall

With very little separating the sides in the table, home form could be a decisive factor in determining the outcome here.

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