nPower League One
Plymouth Argyle (15th) v Notts County (19th)
Tuesday 28th December 2010 – 3pm
In one of the rare matches to survive the weather (so far!), home side Plymouth Argyle take on Notts County at Home Park on Tuesday, with The Pilgrims needing a win to keep in touch with the play-off peripheral teams. Notts County themselves could do with all three points also as The Magpies are level on points with 21st placed Bristol Rovers with only goal difference saving them at this stage.
Plymouth Argyle have lost just once at home in their last six matches (1-2 loss against Brentford), and will be looking for their third successive victory following wins over Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 and a 2-0 win over arch-rivals Exeter City which would have been a very popular result amongst their fans. Manager Peter Reid will be hoping for another big crowd against County.
The Pilgrims’ home stats read 5-2-4 16/16, and the ship has been steadied after just one home win in their first six. Striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (12 goals, 1 assist) is the leading scorer, and he’s backed up by midfielder Craig Noone (3 goals, 7 assists) while seven other outfield players have contributed with assists.
Midfield duo Carl Fletcher and Jim Paterson are available once again after recovering from injury, while defender Onismor Bhasera is expected to overcome an illness.
Notts County will also be looking for their third successive victory following home wins over Swindon Town 1-0 & MK Dons 2-0, but you get the feeling that they face a mammoth task to get all three points at Plymouth given Notts County’s recent away form.
The Magpies have won just once on the road so far this season which was a surprise 3-2 win at Peterborough United back in September. Incidentally, it’s just one win in their last nine away league matches whilst conceding ten goals in their last five on the road.
Their away stats stand at a shaky 1-1-6 9/17 and only Walsall (8 away goals) have scored fewer on the road. Despite this, former Nottingham Forest striker Craig Westcarr (7 goals, 4 assists) is their leading scorer, and is joined by Lee Hughes (6 goals) and midfielder Ben Davies (5 goals, 5 assists) who have also contributed.
The Verdict: Plymouth are the team with momentum in my opinion following their derby win over Exeter recently, so I’m backing The Pilgrims to secure all three points in front of their home fans here.
Main Pick: Plymouth Argyle @ attractive odds of 2.41 with Pinnacle Sports
Side Bet: Bradley Wright-Phillips to score anytime @ 2.40 with bet365. Wright-Phillips has scored 8 of his 12 at home.
