Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Plymouth Argyle will be eager to get back on track on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Preston North End at Home Park.

At a time when the Pilgrims sit in 21st position in the Championship standings, the visitors have recently progressed into 16th place.

Match preview

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Wayne Rooney is no stranger to being in charge of a team in poor form in the Championship over the past 12 months, and he has a job on his hands to ensure that will not be the case at Plymouth.

Despite entering the October international break with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers, defeats away at Cardiff City and Millwall have been posted without scoring a goal.

Some context is required, particularly for the game in South Wales with a first-half sending off contributing to a 5-0 reverse come full time.

Nevertheless, succumbing 1-0 to Millwall in midweek has left the Pilgrims in 21st place in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

On a far more positive note, Plymouth are currently on a three-match winning streak at home, also defeating Sunderland and Luton Town during that period.

Meanwhile, Preston finally appear to be on a sustained upward trajectory under Paul Heckingbottom after his appointment in August.

Just two defeats have been recorded in nine games, as well as Preston being able to accumulate eight points from their most recent four matches.

Seven of those points came from home fixtures versus Watford, Coventry City and Norwich City, yet their most impressive feat is the goalless draw at rivals Burnley.

Now sitting four points clear of the relegation zone, Heckingbottom will hope to finally end Preston's dismal away form. Coincidentally, their last away success in the second tier came against Plymouth all the way back on March 16.

Team News

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Rooney is likely to tinker with his Plymouth side, potentially bringing playmaker Rami Al Hajj into the final third.

Michael Obafemi could also get the nod over Ryan Hardie, but Ibrahima Cissoko remains suspended for his red card against Cardiff.

With Heckingbottom only making two substitutions during the Norwich game, much of the Preston XI may remain the same.

Stefan Thordarson and Mads Frokjaer-Jensen were introduced during that contest and seem most likely to come into the side.

Milutin Osmajic continues to serve his eight-match ban for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup: Grimshaw; Edwards, Szucs, Gibson, Mumba; Gyabi, Randell; Whittaker, Al Hajj, Bundu; Obafemi

Preston North End possible starting lineup: Woodman; Kesler-Hayden, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Whiteman, McCann; Holmes, Greenwood, Brady; Riis

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Preston North End

Although Plymouth are very much on the ropes right now, their form is far better in front of their own supporters. With that in mind, we are backing Rooney's men to earn a share of the spoils against an improving Preston outfit.

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