EXETER CITY v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
nPower league One
Saturday 30th April 2011 – Kickoff 12pm
I can sense a bit of value in this one despite it being a west of England local derby between 9th placed Exeter City and 23rd placed and relegation-doomed Plymouth Argyle.
Exeter will be keen to make amends for their 0-4 dumping at Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday and will no doubt be looking forward to getting back on home ground advantage in this local derby. The Grecians have won their last four at home on the trot with good wins over Swindon Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Leyton Orient and Oldham Athletic meaning they can put to bed the lower teams as well as give the higher teams a few headaches too.
Exeter’s home record stands at 11-5-6 39/31 and they possess some real threats in attack; striker Jamie Cureton (17 goals, 3 assists) leads the way along with Richard Logan (11 goals, 4 assists) and midfielder Ryan Harley (10 goals, 11 assists) completing their attacking trio. Scott Golbourne and Steve Tully have also made 6 assists as well.
In recent times Plymouth Argyle have held the upper hand at St. James’s park but I reckon this is Exeter’s best chance yet of turning the tables on their Devon counterparts.
Visitors Plymouth are in real trouble at the wrong end of the table lying three points off Walsall and safety but they do have a game in hand over the teams around them in the relegation zone.
However, away wins have been a rarity in recent weeks for the Pilgrims this season and their narrow 1-0 win at Dagenham last weekend halted a run of three defeats and a draw on the road. Overall, their away record is not the worst amongst the bottom teams standing at 6-3-13 24/40, but their weakness is obviously in defence with only three teams having a worse defensive away record (Exeter, Bristol Rovers and Swindon Town) – must be something in the water in England’s south west!
The Verdict: There’s plenty still at stake for both sides here particularly for Plymouth and I’m expecting an open and attacking match – perhaps a 2-1 win for Exeter here.
Main Pick: Exeter City @ 2.20 William Hill
