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

In-form Plymouth Argyle make the long trip to Accrington Stanley knowing that a victory on Saturday afternoon will see them regain top spot in the League One standings.

Meanwhile, Accrington, on a three-match unbeaten run of their own in the league, head into this fixture sitting in 12th position.

Match preview

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Such has been Plymouth's form this season that there was disappointment when they only claimed a goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup last weekend.

Nevertheless, it was a result which extended their recent run to just one defeat in 14 matches, that solitary setback coming in the EFL Trophy.

Ryan Lowe will continue to demand more from a team which he will feel has drawn too many games this season, but sitting in second spot with 33 points from 16 matches is promotion-winning form.

The Argyle boss will want to continue looking short term, one of those targets being improving on a streak which has seen just one clean sheet kept in nine league outings.

On the flip side, Plymouth have scored during every game of their 15-match undefeated league run, despite leading marksman Ryan Hardie failing to score in five successive outings.

Accrington head into this fixture having started to get their campaign back on track, at least in the third tier where they have five points from three games.

The 5-1 defeat at Port Vale, a team in a lower division, came as a huge blow to Stanley last weekend, and it represented the second time that so many goals had been conceded away from home since the end of September.

However, John Coleman will prefer to focus on the positives from the previous matches, while it should not go unnoticed that his side beat Fleetwood Town by a 4-1 scoreline in the EFL Trophy earlier this week.

Something else which should also be taken into account is Accrington playing three fewer home games so far this season, their current return standing at 13 points from six matches.

Team News

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Colby Bishop is able to feature for Accrington, the forward's red card against Port Vale only counting for the FA Cup.

However, Coleman will consider making changes to his team, Joel Mumbongo a potential introduction in attack and Harvey Rodgers on the right flank.

Lowe is unlikely to take any risks on Plymouth trio James Bolton, George Cooper and Niall Ennis, who have spent time on the sidelines.

Hardie will hope for another chance in attack ahead of Jordan Garrick, while Ryan Broom will hope to feature in midfield.

Danny Mayor will likely drop back down to the substitutes' bench.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Nottingham, Amankwah, Sykes; Rodgers, Hamilton, Morgan, Conneely, McConville; Pell; Mumbongo

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Galloway, Scarr, Wilson; Edwards, Camara, Broom, Houghton, Grant; Garrick, Jephcott

We say: Accrington Stanley 1-3 Plymouth Argyle

Sitting safety in mid-table, Accrington can attack this game without any real pressure on their shoulders. However, we cannot ignore the form of Plymouth, leading us to back a relatively comfortable win for the visitors.