Plymouth vs Preston Prediction: PNE can gain big away win

I’m sick to the back teeth of backing Plymouth only for them to let me down. I thought they’d be able to get something at Millwall given I don’t rate Neil Harris’ team all that highly. However, they fell to another away defeat meaning Wayne Rooney’s men have now picked up just one point from six games away from Home Park. 

They return to feel the warmth of Devon on Saturday, as they take on Preston North End with kick-off at 15:00. PNE have improved massively under Paul Heckingbottom and earned another good point at home against Norwich in midweek. Below you can find my Plymouth vs Preston prediction, and spoiler - I refuse to get drawn into Rooney’s trap again. 

Team News

Callum Wright and Ryan Hardie were two new faces that came into the Plymouth team in midweek as Rooney tried to freshen things up, while Mustapha Bundu replaced the suspended Ibrahim Cissoko. Cissoko remains out for this one so Bundu is likely to get another start with Morgan Whittaker on the opposite wing. 

Andre Gry could be handed his first start after a substitute appearance, or Michael Obafemi could be reinstated up front. Rami Al Hajj is likely to come back in at number 10, to provide some creativity at home. 

Meanwhile, Preston have a pretty settled XI right now, that rolls off the tongue. Freddie Woodman is a top goalkeeper behind a back three of Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Andrew Hughes. Robbie Brady and Kaine Kesler-Hayden are two talented wing-backs that provide the width as Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann lock down the midfield. 

The only decision for Heckingbottom comes as he must decide who supports Emil Riis up front. Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Stefan Teitur Tordarson were benched against Norwich for Sam Greenwood and Duane Holmes, and given the latter duo both found the net in the 2-2 draw, may retain their starting places. 

Plymouth vs Preston Odds

Plymouth Argyle and Preston are both priced at 8/5 to win this game, given them each a 38% implied win probability. A draw can be backed 5/2, over 2.5 goals is 5/6 and BTTS is priced at 4/6. Riis and Whittaker are joint favourites to score first at 13/2.

Preston to win @ 8/5

Sorry Wayne, but you won’t fool me again. I’ve given Plymouth too much credit in recent weeks and it’s been rewarded with a 5-0 hammering at Cardiff and a 1-0 loss to Millwall. Although the contrast between their home form and away form is staggering, and they’ve won three of five at Home Park, I’m going to back PNE to come away with the points. 

Heckingbottom has got them going now and they have round pegs in round holes. It’s clear this wing-back system suits them, and they are putting in some decent performances of late. They were 2-0 up against a Norwich side I believe have what it takes to finish in the top four and although they lost that lead, it was a decent showing. They are now four games unbeaten and up against an Argyle side losing confidence, could get the win. 

Emil Riis to score anytime @ 9/4 

The big man is so important for Preston at this moment. With Milutin Osmajic suspended and Ched Evans still coming back from an injury, Riis is having to play every game, but that’s a good thing. His physicality and eye for goal means he is always causing issues for opposition defences, even if his goal record isn’t that prolific. 

He scored in the win over Coventry last weekend, and I think given Plymouth’s lack of defensive solidity, he could find the net again. Argyle have conceded 19 goals in 11 games this season, and I don’t know if they’ll be able to keep Riis at bay.  

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