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

Both playoff hopefuls Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth will be keen to pick up points when the pair meet on Wednesday afternoon.

The hosts will begin the week inside the top six, whilst Portsmouth travel to Devon looking to cut the gap between themselves and the playoffs.

Match preview

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Having started the season in emphatic fashion, Argyle fans were dreaming of a return to the Championship for the first time since 2009-10.

Such was their standout form, manager Ryan Lowe was offered the managerial role at Preston North End, which he accepted and left Argyle behind.

Since his departure, Plymouth have registered two wins from four matches, while losing one and drawing the other – form that should keep them in the mix for a playoff berth.

However, despite their impressive first half of the season, Argyle are without a win against Wednesday's opponents since May 2016.

New boss Steven Schumacher will be targeting a statement victory over the former Premier League outfit this week, while Portsmouth will be looking to extend their stellar record against the Pilgrims.

For Pompey, another season in the third tier looks likely, unless Danny Cowley's side can turn their form around in the new year.

Unlikely to finish 2021 inside the playoff spots, Portsmouth can finish the calendar year on a high by extending their current unbeaten run in the league to nine matches.

It is over two months since Portsmouth last suffered defeat in League One, with Cowley no doubt eager to see his playoff-hopefuls improve on that record during Wednesday's clash.

Team News

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Forced to wait 18 days between matches, Portsmouth have this week reconvened after a surge in Covid cases meant they were unable to train.

Top scorer Marcus Harness will provide the attacking threat for Pompey, while on-loan goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has enjoyed a breakout 2021, and the teenager will keep his place between the sticks once more.

Michael Cooper kept his second consecutive clean sheet in the Boxing Day victory over Cheltenham Town and he will be targeting a third this week.

Goals for the hosts came from Panutche Camara and Jordon Garrick and the pair will look to continue their good form with a starting berth on Wednesday.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey; Edwards, Camara, Houghton, Mayor, Grant; Garrick, Agard

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Bazunu; Ogilvie, Raggett, Freeman; Romeo, Azeez, Williams, Hackett-Fairchild; Harness, Curtis, Hirst

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Portsmouth

A tight battle at the top of League One, with its result likely to have huge implications on the race for a playoff spot.

Portsmouth have enjoyed the upper-hand over Argyle of late, but it is likely that this one will end in a stalemate.