Plymouth Argyle vs. Stoke City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Under 2.5 goals have been scored in all of Plymouth's last five home games in the league while three of Stoke's last five on the road have also seen fewer than three goals scored.

Wayne Rooney's men have drawn both of their last two league games, while both of these sides beat each other once last season, showing there was very little separating them.

Neither side has really done much this season to stake a claim to be the overwhelming favourites for this encounter, so in our eyes a low scoring draw feels like the most likely outcome. Plymouth 1-1 Stoke.

This Saturday's Championship clash between Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City presents an intriguing early-season battle between two sides that have endured less-than-ideal starts to their respective campaigns.

• Date: 31/08/2024
• Kick-off time: 15:00
• Location: Home Park, Plymouth

Plymouth Argyle entered the season with the ominous tag of relegation favourites, and their current position—21st with just two points from three games—reflects a challenging start to their Championship campaign. After a narrow escape from relegation last season, the Pilgrims' summer was dominated by the surprise appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager. The decision to bring in Rooney was met with scepticism, given his mixed managerial record, and the early signs suggest that the transition has not been entirely smooth.

Despite their lowly position, there have been glimmers of hope for Plymouth. The team has shown a commendable level of fight and resilience, characteristics that are crucial for a side expected to be battling in the lower echelons of the table. Rooney's men have displayed an ability to bounce back from setbacks, a trait that will be vital if they are to steer clear of the drop zone.

However, these positive aspects have been overshadowed by significant defensive frailties. Plymouth currently have the worst expected goals against rate in the league, standing at a concerning 2.09xGA per game. This statistic underscores the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them in the opening weeks. If Rooney is to reverse the club's fortunes, shoring up the backline must be a priority. The visit of Stoke provides an opportunity for Plymouth to tighten their defence and start turning promising performances into points.

Stoke find themselves in 17th place after three games, with three points on the board. It has been a start that could be described as mediocre at best and disappointing at worst, especially considering the club's ambitions to improve on last season's 17th-place finish. The Potters had an active summer transfer window, bringing in several new faces in a bid to bolster their squad. However, early results suggest that the team has not made the leap in quality that many had hoped for.

Steven Schumacher, who took over as manager midway through last season after leaving Plymouth, has so far been unable to inject the creativity needed to propel Stoke up the table. The team’s attacking output has been particularly underwhelming, with an expected goals (xG) rate of just 1.01 per game, ranking them 20th in the Championship. This lack of cutting edge in front of goal has been a major factor in their sluggish start, and Schumacher will be under pressure to find solutions to Stoke's creative struggles.

Stoke's performance against Plymouth will be closely scrutinised, particularly given Schumacher's previous connection to the Devon club. A victory would not only boost Stoke's position in the table but also provide a psychological lift to both the players and supporters, reinforcing the belief that the team can improve on last season's showing.

Saturday’s match at Home Park is likely to be a tightly contested affair. Plymouth's defensive issues will be tested by a Stoke side that, despite their own attacking struggles, possesses the quality to exploit weaknesses. Conversely, Stoke's lack of creativity could provide Plymouth with the chance to secure a clean sheet and gain a much-needed confidence boost.

Both managers will be aware of the importance of this fixture. For Rooney, a win would alleviate some of the early pressure and offer tangible proof that his methods are starting to take hold. For Schumacher, it represents an opportunity to demonstrate that Stoke are capable of turning their aspirations into reality and moving up the table.

This game will not be televised live in the UK, but partial radio coverage will be provided by BBC Radio Stoke.

Plymouth Team News:

The Pilgrims will be without suspended pair Adam Forshaw and Freddie Issaka, both of whom received yellow cards at Loftus Road at the weekend.

Jordan Houghton will likely take Forshaw's place in the middle of the park, with Wayne Rooney not likely to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup.

Predicted lineup: Hazard; Edwards, Gibson, Galloway, Mumba; Randell, Forshaw; Whittaker, Gyabi, Cissoko; Hardie.

Stoke Team News:

The Potters are likely to be without Sam Gallagher, Ben Pearson, Michael Rose and Enda Stevens for the trip to Plymouth.

Steven Schumacher could stick with the same side that started the game against West Brom at the weekend, despite the unfavourable result.

Predicted lineup: Johansson; Tchamadeu, Wilmot, Gibson, Bocht; Laurent, Thompson; Manhoef, Joon-ho Bae, Gooch; Koumas.

Plymouth’s season began in the worst way imaginable, as Argyle were crushed 4-0 away at Sheffield Wednesday. It was a weak performance from Plymouth who, at that point, looked like the standout favourites for relegation.

However, the Pilgrims have responded to that hammering well, firstly by beating Cheltenham Town 3-0 in the EFL Cup thanks to goals from Ben Waine, Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu, and then with successive draws in the league.

Plymouth drew 1-1 with Hull City in a game they may well have felt they did enough to win, but ultimately had to settle for an unspectacular result after Ibrahim Cissoko’s second half strike was cancelled out by a fine goal from Hull's Lewie Coyle. Forward Cissoko has been a notable bright spark for Plymouth in the opening weeks for Argyle.

Argyle then recorded a second straight 1-1 draw, but this time it was a much more gratifying result as they held QPR away from home, despite being reduced to ten men in the first half. Rooney’s men fell behind afrer just 3 minutes to a QPR set piece, but a trademark screamer from Morgan Whittaker drew them level 25 minutes later before Adam Forshaw was given his marching orders just one minute after that.

Substitute Freddie Issaka was also sent off in stoppage time for Plymouth, but the Pligrims held on for a commendable point on the road.

Stoke’s season began with a very impressive 1-0 win over Coventry City, a side tipped for promotion this year, thanks to a goal off the bench by Lewis Baker.

A young Potters XI then claimed an impressive 2-0 win away at Carlisle United in the EFL Cup thanks to Freddie Anderson and Emre Tezgel, but after that it’s been largely downhill for Schumacher’s men.

Stoke suffered a very heavy 3-0 defeat away at Watford in the league, where a second half blitz saw the Hornets emerge deserved winners.

At the weekend, Stoke welcomed West Bromwich Albion to the bet365 Stadium, and in what was a fairly competitive game, a dazzling first half involving three goals saw the visitors score either side of a Lewis Koumas goal for Stoke to emerge 2-1 winners, with an uneventful second half failing to produce any further goals.

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