Plymouth Argyle vs Cheltenham Town Prediction: Plymouth Argyle are expected to edge out Cheltenham Town in a closely contested EFL Cup match, with a predicted final score of 3-2 in favor of the home side.
The EFL Cup first round kicks off with an intriguing matchup as Plymouth Argyle host Cheltenham Town at Home Park on Wednesday evening. Both sides will be eager to progress in the competition, setting the stage for an exciting encounter.
Match Preview
Plymouth Argyle, fresh off their Championship campaign opener, will look to bounce back from a disappointing 4-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday. Manager Wayne Rooney faces the challenge of lifting his team’s spirits and securing a positive result in front of the home crowd.
Cheltenham Town, on the other hand, enter the match with momentum after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Newport County in their League Two opener. The Robins will aim to carry that winning form into this cup tie and potentially cause an upset against their higher-division opponents.
Predicted Plymouth Argyle vs Cheltenham Town Lineups and Formations
Plymouth Argyle Lineup (4-3-3): Cooper; Szucs, Mumba, Pleguezuelo, Ogbeta; Wright, Randell, Houghton; Hardie, Bundu, Issaka
Wayne Rooney is expected to make several changes to the side that faced Sheffield Wednesday, giving opportunities to players who didn’t start in the league opener. New signing Kornel Szucs could make his debut in defense.
Cheltenham Town Lineup (3-5-2): Evans; Bennett, Laing, Bakare; Kinsella, Jude-Boyd, Pett, Haynes, Archer; Miller, Taylor
Michael Flynn may opt for a similar lineup to the one that secured victory against Newport, with potential rotations to manage player workload early in the season.
Players Unavailable or Injured
Plymouth Argyle and Cheltenham Town both have some players who may not be available for the EFL Cup clash. Here’s a list of potential absentees:
Plymouth Argyle:
- No specific injuries or unavailable players were mentioned in the sources. However, Wayne Rooney may choose to rest some key players from the weekend’s Championship match.
Cheltenham Town:
- Joel Colwill: Despite his two-goal heroics in the league opener, he could be rested for this cup tie.
- Lewis Payne: May be given a break, with Arkell Jude-Boyd potentially taking his place at right wing-back.
It’s important to note that both managers might make strategic decisions to rotate their squads, given the early stage of the season and the need to manage player workload. This could result in some regular starters being rested for this cup match.
Key Players to Watch
Plymouth Argyle:
- Ryan Hardie: The striker will be crucial in leading the line and providing a goal threat.
- Brendan Galloway: Solid defensive performances will be vital in keeping Cheltenham at bay.
Cheltenham Town:
- Joel Colwill: After his two-goal heroics in the league opener, he’ll be one to watch if given playing time.
- Scot Bennett: His experience could be key in organizing the defense against Championship opposition.
Where to Watch Live?
The match is not scheduled for live television broadcast in the UK. Fans can follow live updates through the clubs’ official social media channels and websites.
Plymouth Argyle vs Cheltenham Town Live Streaming and TV Schedule for Other Top-Tier Countries:
- Great Britain: Sky Sports+
- Ireland Republic: Sky Sports+
- New Zealand: beIN Sports Connect New Zealand
Form Guide
Plymouth Argyle: Last 5 matches (most recent first): L-W-L-W-D
Cheltenham Town: Last 5 matches (most recent first): W-W-L-L-W
Head-to-Head Record
The historical record favors Plymouth Argyle in this fixture:
- Plymouth wins: 6
- Draws: 3
- Cheltenham wins: 1
Their most recent encounter saw Plymouth emerge victorious with a 5-1 win in a pre-season friendly last month.
Who Will Win?
Given Plymouth’s home advantage and their desire to bounce back from the weekend’s defeat, they enter as favorites. However, Cheltenham’s recent form suggests they could pose a significant challenge.
Plymouth Argyle vs Cheltenham Town Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 3-2 Cheltenham Town
Plymouth’s Championship quality should ultimately shine through but expect Cheltenham to put up a strong fight in what could be a closely contested cup tie.
As both teams aim to progress in the EFL Cup, this match promises to be an entertaining affair with potential for surprises. The contrasting league positions add an extra layer of intrigue to what should be a competitive cup tie at Home Park.
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