Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. Blackburn Rovers – prediction, team news, lineups

Blackburn Rovers make the long trip to Plymouth Argyle looking to bounce back from experiencing their first Championship defeat of the season.

At a time when the visitors sit in sixth position in the standings, Plymouth head into Saturday’s encounter occupying 18th position.

Match preview

© Imago

Having not lost in the Championship since April 21, there was the impression that Blackburn were beginning to feel invincible under John Eustace.

However, the 3-0 defeat at Coventry City in midweek has brought them back down to earth, highlighting that any team can beat another in the second tier of English football.

Blackburn went into that contest having put together three clean sheets in succession, but they now returning to the drawing board having missed out on moving top of the table.

Rovers have only failed to score in three of their last 12 matches in the Championship, two of them coming versus Coventry.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that Eustace’s side are yet to win away from home in the league during 2023-24, netting just three times in four games.

As for Plymouth, they suffered their fourth defeat in eight Championship matches under Wayne Rooney when they went down 1-0 at Burnley in midweek.

Although there would have been disappointment at the result, there is generally an understanding that the Manchester United and England legend is making an impact at Home Park.

Three of their losses have come by 1-0 scorelines, the others to Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, with home wins being posted over Sunderland and Luton Town respectively.

Plymouth’s home form will be key this campaign and they have only lost once in their last seven encounters in the Championship on familiar territory.

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Rooney may decide to change his full-backs, bringing Joe Edwards and Bali Mumba back into the Plymouth XI.

The rest of the starting lineup could stay the same with Rooney likely feeling that there has been enough progression with his team to justify that approach.

Changes to the Blackburn side are inevitable after they came up short at Coventry, with Makhtar Gueye among those who could return in the final third.

Lewis Baker and Ryan Hedges are also in contention for starting roles, with Yuki Ohashi potentially one of the attacking contingent to drop out.

Owen Beck again misses out due to his suspension for the red card that he collected at Preston North End.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Edwards, Szucs, Gibson, Mumba; Whittaker, Gyabi, Randell, Hajj, Cissoko; Hardie

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Carter, Batth, Hyam, Pickering; Tronstad, Travis; Hedges, Baker, Dolan; Gueye

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

With Plymouth holding a strong home record under Rooney, Blackburn will be up against it to bounce back with a win. Nevertheless, we are backing Rovers to prevail from a hard-fought contest, potentially through a late goal when Plymouth are pushing at the other end.

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

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