The final two play-off places in League 1 this season rests between three teams and both Scunthorpe United and Plymouth Argyle know victory at Glanford Park in their penultimate match with keep alive their hopes of Championship football next season. United are currently two points ahead of their opponents so are in pole position, though this is a game they dare not lose.
Scunthorpe Form
The Iron suffered a mid-season blip which cost manager Graham Alexander his job been they’ve staged a recovery under interim manager Nicky Daws and are on a three-game winning streak. Those victories were all achieved without conceding a goal but they have struggled to score goals at home lately, dropping unexpected points since the turn of the year against relegation-threatened sides like Oldham, Rochdale and Northampton. Given there is so much at stake in their clash with Argyle, it is unlikely that United will go gung-ho in their attempt to secure the win that would ensure their play-off place as this is a match that the visitors realistically have to take three points from if they are to keep their fate in their own hands. There have only been 10 goals in Scunthorpe’s last six matches with Daws believing a solid defence is the keystone to success and under 2.5 Total Goals is 10/11 with Betfred – a tight match is envisaged.
Plymouth Form
The Pilgrims have done remarkably well to find themselves in the position they are in as they looked dead and buried at the onset of winter after a terrible start to their first season back in League 1. Disciplinary problems blighted them at the srat of the campaign and they rarely finished a match with a full compliment of players but Derek Adams read the riot act and the board kept faith with the Scot to turn things around. He’s done that is spectacular fashion and in Graham Carey they have a goalscoring midfielder who is probably capable of playing at a higher level.
However, all that effort has begun to take its toll. They have taken just one point from a possible six in recent away games at Northampton and Rochdale, though their home form has remained strong and they beat fourth-placed Rotherham at the weekend. Just getting a positive result at Scunthorpe will not be easy, however, and a win (a general 7/2) looks a big ask given they will have to go again at Gillingham on Saturday, regardless of tonight’s outcome.
Scunthorpe v Plymouth Head-to-Heads
Scunthorpe won 4-0 at Home Park back in August and have now won their last four meetings with Plymouth. There have been no draws between the two sides in their last eight meetings, with Argyle only winning two.
Scunthorpe v Plymouth Current Best Odds
Scunthorpe 5/6, Draw 11/4, Plymouth 7/2 (Odds correct at 1.40pm April 30)
Scunthorpe v Plymouth Predictions
Though draws have been rare between these sides in modern times, a point would probably suit the home side and Plymouth have not been at their best on their travels lately. Betvictor are offering 11/4 that this crucial match ends all-square and have priced up a 1-1 correct score at 13/2.
