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

Two teams at different ends of the League One table will meet on Saturday as sixth-placed Plymouth Argyle welcome Lincoln City to Home Park.

The visitors are just three places above the relegation zone right now, and will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat last weekend.

Match preview

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Plymouth Argyle currently find themselves just outside the League One playoffs, even though they are level on points with Oxford United at the moment.

A victory at the weekend has the potential to see them break into that group as the squad continues to push for promotion into the Championship this season.

However, they will need to bounce back from their defeat last weekend when they were beaten 4-2 by Sheffield Wednesday in a frantic game that saw them only manage three shots across the 90 minutes.

Prior to that Plymouth had enjoyed three victories on the bounce in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in all of them, which is something they will want once again this weekend.

Considering the league positions of both teams, Steven Schumacher will believe that they can return to winning ways here, continuing their impressive campaign.

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For Lincoln City, they will be desperate just to get points on the board as the club aims to keep pushing away from the relegation zone.

There are just four points keeping them in safety right now, which places a lot of pressure on each match until they are able to create a bigger gap.

Despite managing to win their first two games of 2022, which just so happened to be against two teams in the playoffs, Michael Appleton's men were defeated in their most recent outing.

The 1-0 loss against Cambridge United was a close one, as it took until the 91st minute for Joe Ironside to find the back of the net.

However, it was Lincoln who enjoyed a late goal when they last faced Plymouth, with Anthony Scully scoring a penalty at the end of the match to secure a 2-2 draw in that match.

Team News

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Plymouth will be hoping for a return to stronger defensive displays after conceding four at the weekend, with Michael Cooper aiming to get back to keeping clean sheets at the first available opportunity.

Panutche Camara has been way recently due to the Africa Cup Of Nations, and despite Guinea-Bissau now being knocked out, he will still not be available until midweek.

Max Melbourne was used from the bench after being recalled by Lincoln City last weekend, and he could be an option to play from the first whistle this time around.

Joe Walsh and Adam Jackson are currently out of action due to injuries, while Lewis Montsma is also a concern, with none of them being used in their previous match.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Bolton, Scarr, Gillesphey; Grant, Mayor, Houghton, Randell, Edwards; Ennis, Garrick

Lincoln City possible starting lineup:

Griffiths; Melbourne, Eyoma, Poole, Bramall; Whittaker, McGrandles, Fiorini, Scully, Maguire; Cullen

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Lincoln City

Plymouth Argyle head into this match as firm favourites, but the visitors have been impressive since the turn of the year, and that is something they shall be trying to continue.

Ultimately, the home side should have just enough quality and confidence to edge this one, but it will likely be a hard-fought victory.