Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

In a clash that could have significant implications in the League One playoff race, in-form Plymouth Argyle welcome high-flying Bolton Wanderers to Home Park on Good Friday.

The Pilgrims secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town last time out, extending their unbeaten run to five matches, while Steven Schumacher’s side suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to bottom-placed Port Vale in the last game before the international break.

Match preview

Following a disappointing defeat to relegation-threatened Rotherham United at the end of February, Tom Cleverley’s side responded in excellent fashion and now head into their 40th match unbeaten in five, firmly keeping themselves in the playoff conversation.

Four wins and a draw during that recent good run of form has seen them climb to ninth in the table, just one point adrift of the top six with seven games to go.

Their latest victory was particularly eye-catching, as they came from behind to defeat fellow playoff hopefuls Huddersfield Town 3-1, leapfrogging their Yorkshire opponents in the process.

Three second-half goals ensured a huge comeback victory for the Devon based team and highlighted their strong resilience in matches that could prove vital in their League One run-in.

Should Cleverley guide his side to a fifth win in six matches, they could end the Easter weekend as high as fifth place, although results elsewhere will also need to fall in their favour.

As for Bolton Wanderers, they would have been aiming to head into the international break with a victory after drawing against struggling Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers, but instead left Staffordshire empty-handed following a narrow defeat to Port Vale.

The back end of March promised much for the former Premier League side, as their final three games of the month were all against relegation-threatened sides and presented a golden opportunity to come into their final run of games with nine points from the last nine available.

However, they managed just two points from those matches and now face a more demanding run of fixtures as they look to regain momentum.

Despite the recent slip in form, it has been a successful season for Schumacher and his Bolton Wanderers side and they come into Good Friday sitting third in the table and hold a six-point advantage over seventh-placed Stevenage.

However, having drawn more matches than any other side in the division, with 15 stalemates, Wanderers will be keen to turn draws into wins and ensure their position in the playoff places remains secure.

These two sides meet for the second time this season, with Bolton claiming a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture on matchweek two.

Plymouth Argyle League One form:

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Bolton Wanderers League One form:

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Team News

Ahead of the huge League One clash, Cleverley has revealed that three key players who have been sidelined through injury will all be available this Friday afternoon.

Julio Pleguezuelo has been out for over a month and will be reintroduced gradually, while Matty Sorinola and top scorer Lorent Tolaj have returned to training over the past few weeks and could both come back into the starting XI against the Trotters.

However, they still will not have a fully fit squad available after Jack MacKenzie came off after 68 minutes in their win over the Terriers and is likely to be absent through his injury.

Herbie Kane, who was ineligible to face his parent club last time out, is expected to return to the side here.

MacKenzie will join Brendan Wiredu in the treatment room, after the latter has recently undergone surgery for an abdominal issue that will keep him sidelined.

Schumacher, meanwhile, has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his return to face his former club, though changes to the starting lineup remain a possibility as his side searches for a return to winning ways.

Ben Heneghan, Cameron Humphreys and Jayden Stockley remain out, but there could be starts for Mason Burstow and John McAtee.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Edwards, Ross, Mitchell, Harding; Curtis, Boateng, Kane, Dale; Tolaj, Pepple

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Bonham; Osei-Tutu, Toal, Forino, Johnston; Simons, Erhahon; Kenny, Dempsey, Apter; Dalby

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

With both sides firmly in the playoff picture, this contest has all the makings of a closely fought encounter.

We see the points being shared on the day with the away side failing to win for the fourth successive game and adding another draw to their long list of stalemates.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.