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

The Green Army have made an indifferent start to life back in the second tier, whereas Swansea are beginning to find their feet this season following a difficult opening few weeks.

Match preview

Plymouth suffered their fifth loss of the Championship term on Tuesday night, falling to a 2-0 defeat at their Devonshire home against Gary Rowett's hardened Millwall outfit.

The Green Army dominated possession and created the lion's share of the clear-cut chances at Home Park, however second-half strikes from Zian Flemming and George Saville proved that the West Londoners had the clinical touch despite defending for large parts of the contest.

Steven Schumacher's men are always involved in plenty of goalscoring action when playing in front of their home supporters, having beaten Norwich City 6-2 and Blackburn Rovers 3-0 earlier this season.

The likes of Finn Azaz, Bali Mumba and Morgan Whittaker provide neutrals lots of exciting youngsters to watch, although it was been 26-year-old Ryan Hardie who is leading the way in Plymouth's scoring charts this term, netting five times in 10 second-tier matches - as well as providing three assists for teammates.

Last campaign's League One winners are currently 16th in the Championship after collecting 11 points from their opening 10 contests back at this level, and the Green Army could sneak as high as 13th in the table if they are victorious on Saturday afternoon.

After failing to win any of their first seven league matches in the 2023-24 term, considerable grumbles of discontent were beginning to radiate from the stands of the Swansea.com Stadium, however recent form has eased worries of any unlikely relegation scrap in South Wales.

Michael Duff's Swansea made it three-straight wins last time out by getting the best of high-flying Norwich City on Wednesday night, with Bashir Humphreys netting a late winner after the Canaries' Gabriel Sara had cancelled out Jamal Lowe's third-minute opener.

The Swans had recorded back-to-back 3-0 successes against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall before putting David Wagner's men to the sword on home soil, and the visitors will be aiming to win four-straight second-tier games for the first time since April.

Much was made of the departures of Ryan Manning and Joel Piroe to Southampton and Leeds United respectively during the summer transfer window, and although Swansea may not appear as threatening as under Russell Martin last term, there is undeniably still a squad in South Wales capable of pushing for the top six.

Duff's side are one point ahead of Plymouth heading into Saturday afternoon's clash and the Swans could move into a top-half position ahead of the season's second international break should they earn maximum points at Home Park this weekend.

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

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Swansea City Championship form:

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Team News

Plymouth are set to be without the services of first-choice centre-back Lewis Gibson on Saturday, with the 23-year-old still recovering from a foot injury sustained in late September.

Summer arrival Julio Pleguezuelo has joined Dan Scarr in the heart of the Green Army's defence due to Gibson's absence, and the Spaniard is expected to earn his sixth start of the term this weekend.

Attacking midfielder Callum Wright was mainly constrained to substitute appearances before picking up a knee injury last month, with the former Blackpool man expected back in action after the international break.

Swansea are low on options in defence ahead of this weekend's trip to Home Park, with Kristian Pedersen and Nathan Wood both set to miss out due to groin and ankle issues respectively.

Joe Allen provides a wealth of experience whenever he steps onto the pitch for the Swans, however the 33-year-old is currently sidelined because of a leg injury, meaning Jay Fulton and Matthew Grimes will partner Charlie Patino in the visitors' engine room.

Academy graduate Azeem Abdulai earned his first-ever senior starts during Swansea's early-season run in the EFL Cup, however the defender is out of action due to a hamstring strain.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Kesler-Hayden, Scarr, Pleguezuelo, Miller; Randell, Houghton, Azaz; Whittaker, Mumba, Hardie

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Cabango, Darling, Humphreys; Key, Grimes, Fulton, Patino, Lowe; Yates, Paterson

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Swansea City

Plymouth have been very inconsistent over the past few weeks but generally put on a good show for their home faithful in Devon, and we are expecting the same on Saturday.

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