Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the visitors sit in 10th position in the standings, Plymouth are down in 17th spot, just three points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Having recently put together a seven-match undefeated streak in the Championship, Preston supporters can feel optimistic about earning a playoff spot.

However, it is occasions such as the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City that can really knock their chances of gatecrashing the promotion race during the closing stages of the campaign.

On paper, the fixture with the Potters was their most favourable since the turn of the year, yet a late goal inflicted their first defeat since January 21.

With a game in hand, though, all is not lost for a team that sit just five points adrift of the top six ahead of three successive matches against teams who sit in 17th position or lower.

Although Preston have lost more away fixtures than they have won this season, the long journey to the South will be made with a three-match undefeated run on their travels intact.

Meanwhile, Plymouth welcome Ryan Lowe back to Home Park in a position where they are becoming increasingly desperate to keep some breathing space from the bottom three.

Just five points have been accumulated from their last eight games, the solitary victory coming at Middlesbrough at a time when they have lost their way at Home Park.

Three successive defeats have been posted without scoring a goal, yet some context is required with the losses in question coming against Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Ipswich Town.

On a more positive note, Ian Foster's side came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers last time out, making it eight points from their last six away fixtures when they had previously collected just five points from 13 such games.

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

L

L

W

L

L

D

Preston North End Championship form:

W

W

D

W

D

L

Team News

While Foster has multiple options available to him if he wishes to rotate his Plymouth XI, he may opt for the same team from the Blackburn game.

If a change is made, Darko Gyabi and Alfie Devine are both options to come into the final third, while Adam Randell is an alternative for the midfield.

Barring any late issues, Plymouth currently have no injuries to contend with for this contest.

Lowe must decide to what extent he is going to react to the defeat to Stoke, Milutin Osmajic a natural option for a recall in attack having scored as a substitute.

Greg Cunningham, Ryan Ledson and Duane Holmes will be eyeing opportunities, but Brad Potts remains unavailable due to injury and Ben Whiteman is a huge doubt due to an ankle problem.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Pleguezuelo, Phillips, Gibson; Mumba, Forshaw, Houghton, Miller; Whittaker, Bundu; Hardie

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Browne, Ledson, McCann, Millar; Frokjaer-Jensen; Osmajic, Riis

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Preston North End

While Plymouth would probably take another point, that is not the case with Preston who cannot afford more dropped points. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to throw caution to the wind in the latter stages in order to secure a maximum return.

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