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

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 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:

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W

D

D

W

L

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

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D

W

D

W

L

Portsmouth League One form:

L

L

W

W

L

D

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

D

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

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Portsmouth

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