Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

The Pilgrims were outdone by a Leeds United side who seem destined for the Premier League, whilst the Baggies were bested by Southampton at The Hawthorns.

Match preview

Following a six-game unbeaten run across the Championship and the FA Cup starting on New Year's Day, Plymouth's 2024 has taken a turn for the worse in recent clashes, with the Green Army now four matches without a win after Daniel Farke's Leeds arrived in Devon and flexed their top-flight credentials.

A sloppy opening period of the game from the Pilgrims allowed Italy international Willy Gnonto to give the Whites a lead at Home Park, and despite a much-improved second-half display from the League One champions they were unable to earn a result, with £35m man Georginio Rutter doubling the visitors' advantage in the 72nd minute.

After collecting just one point from their last three Championship matches, Ian Foster's side are slowly being dragged towards the relegation spots in the second-tier standings, with 22nd-placed Queens Park Rangers just five points behind, although Plymouth have played a game fewer.

With the likes of Finn Azaz and Luke Cundle departing from their loan spells during the January transfer window alongside former head coach leaving to join Stoke City in December, the Pilgrims have been forced to reinvent themselves for the second half of the term, with Tottenham Hotspur duo Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips joining on temporary deals.

Plymouth's form at their Devonshire base is single-handedly keeping them out of severe trouble at the wrong end of the division, with Saturday's loss to promotion-chasing Leeds being their first defeat at home in the Championship since October 7, when Michael Duff's Swansea City were enjoying a purple patch of form.

w

Moving onto another team who boast an enviable record in front of their own supporters this season, West Brom were beaten at The Hawthorns for the first time since December 2 on Friday night, when Russell Martin's top-two bound Southampton returned to winning ways following a shock defeat at Bristol City four days earlier.

Unlike any other side that has visited the Baggies in the Championship this term, the Saints dominated proceedings over the hosts and were fully deserving of their 20th maximum of the league campaign, with Ryan Fraser and David Brooks breaching the net of Alex Palmer either side of the half-time whistle.

There was a significant sub-plot behind Friday night's clash in the Black Country, with West Brom's new majority owner Shilen Patel in attendance at the Hawthorns for the first time since acquiring over £87.7% of the club, ending Guochuan Lai's seven-year spell of neglectful rule.

Massive credit has to be given to Baggies boss Carlos Corberan, who has managed to mould a close-knit squad - that struggled massively under Valerien Ismael and Steve Bruce - into a team that are comfortably in the conversation for a top-six finish come May, with Albion currently in fifth, one point ahead of Norwich City in seventh.

After Matt Phillips suffered a serious hamstring injury at the end of 2023, the Baggies needed reinforcements in wide areas to aid their playoff push, with all of Mikey Johnston, Andreas Weimann and academy product Tom Fellows coming up with decisive goals in recent matches.

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

D

W

W

L

D

L

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

D

L

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

W

L

W

D

W

L

West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

W

L

Team News

Plymouth are set to recall Ryan Hardie to the starting XI after the striker started Saturday's match on the bench due to fatigue, with New Zealand international Ben Waine most likely to make room.

There is a similar narrative for centre-back Brendan Galloway, who could be integrated into a newly-formed back three for the Pilgrims alongside Spurs loanee Phillips and Lewis Gibson.

Darko Gyabi was unable to feature against his parent clubs Leeds last time out, however the youngster should return to the side on Tuesday at the expense of either Jordan Houghton or Adam Randell.

Mustapha Bundu returned to Plymouth's matchday squad for the first time in four games on the weekend following a calf strain, and the attacker will be targeting more minutes against the Baggies.

After returning from Africa Cup of Nations final defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria's Semi Ajayi could start alongside the increasingly-impressive Cedric Kipre in the heart at West Brom's defence.

Bristol City loanee Weimann was rested completely during the Southampton defeat but should play a part at Home Park, whilst Fellows and Grady Diangana are also pushing for starts.

Brandon Thomas-Asante continues burden the central-striking responsibility for Corberan's troops due to the absences of both Josh Maja and Daryl Dike.

Erik Pieters has enjoyed more game time in recent matches because of the calf injury sustained by Kyle Bartley, who is expected back in early March.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Phillips, Gibson, Galloway; Sorinola, Gyabi, Houghton, Miller; Whittaker, Devine, Hardie

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; Furlong, Kipre, Ajayi, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt, Wallace, Swift, Johnston; Thomas-Asante

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Plymouth were simply outclassed by a team charging towards the Premier League on Saturday, and we feel that West Brom's patchy away form will give the Pilgrims a real chance of earning three points.

Previews by email