Plymouth vs Blackburn Prediction: Home comforts for Argyle once more

Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle™ fell to a one-goal defeat to Burnley in midweek, but will return to Home Park looking to replicate their win over Luton Town last Friday. The next visitors to Devon are Blackburn Rovers, who had their unbeaten run ended in midweek by Coventry at the CBS Arena. 

Now these two meet on Saturday afternoon (15:00), both looking to get back to winning ways at the first time of asking. Below you can find my Plymouth vs Blackburn predictions, featuring team news and betting tips for you to consider. 

Team News

Rooney opted for a more defensive back four at Burnley and it nearly paid off as his side only narrowly lost at Turf Moor. However, for this home game I’d expect Joe Edwards and Bali Mumba to come into the team in the full-back areas as the former England captain looks to get back on the front foot against Blackburn. 

Callum Wright is also vying for a midfield place, but Rooney is likely to stick Rami Al Hajj, Adam Randell and Darko Gyabi if the trio can manage three games in a week.

Blackburn meanwhile put in their worst performance of the season at Coventry and looked tired, so expect John Eustace to ring the changes. Makhtar Gueye should start in place of the ineffective Yuki Ohashi up top, while Lewis Baker could come into the midfield with Ryan Hedges. 

Tyrhys Dolan and Todd Cantwell were both off colour in midweek so it remains to be seen if the former Birmingham boss sticks with both, with Arnor Sigurdsson waiting in the wings if a change is needed. Owen Beck remains suspended.

Plymouth vs Blackburn Odds 

Plymouth are priced at 2/1 to win this game, with Blackburn the favourites at 21/10. A draw is available at 5/2, over 2.5 goals is 8/13 and BTTS is 8/15, while Ohashi is the favourite to open the scoring at 5/1. 

Plymouth to win @ 2/1

Having watched the full 90 minutes of Blackburn’s game in midweek, I cannot be backing them to get anything at Home Park. They were second-best for the full 90 minutes against a Coventry side lacking confidence, and they often played themselves into trouble in that 3-0 defeat. I’d expect a more robust showing from Rovers here especially if the likes of Gueye give them a focal point up top, however, Home Park is a really tough place to go. 

Argyle have picked up seven points this term on home soil, including impressive wins over both Sunderland and Luton, so I think the odds are generous for them to secure another maximum. They will have to rely on their home form to stay up, and I think this game, despite Blackburn’s positive start, is another great chance to get three points. Rovers are likely to drop out of the top-half in my mind, so another defeat here wouldn’t be particularly surprising. 

Over 2.5 Plymouth goals @ 9/2

Yeah, I’m going to back Plymouth to put in another strong attacking display at home this weekend. Blackburn’s defending at Coventry was nothing short of abysmal, and even experienced heads such as Dom Hyam and Danny Batth lost their way. They weren’t helped by their midfield, and Hayden Carter struggled up against Haji Wright, but still it was enough to make me believe that Plymouth will also get some joy. 

Rooney’s men have scored three goals in each of their last two home games, with that 3-1 win over Luton following on from the 3-2 success over Sunderland. They’ve scored late on in both of those wins, but I think up against weaker opposition on paper, they could get at them from the off. Ryan Hardie is a difficult striker to pin down, while Morgan Whittaker has only got one goal this term. 

The reliance on Whittaker last term was a problem, but this term they are sharing the goals around the frontline, with Ibrahim Cissoko playing superbly in their last game at Home Park. There are goals in this team, and I think this selection is a big price based on what we have seen.

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