Plymouth vs Preston prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-03-15 15:00.
[p]A run of just one win from nine matches (D2, L6) leaves Plymouth perilously close to the Championship relegation zone, with the Pilgrims just three points clear of Huddersfield in 22nd pre-round. A frustrating 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Blackburn last time out, in which Ian Foster’s men dominated possession and played against ten men for over 30 minutes, did little to help their cause.[/p]
[p]The comforts of Home Park should assist in their efforts to preserve their stay in the second-tier, as Plymouth have earned more than two-thirds of their points on their own turf. Recent results have been far from encouraging however, as the hosts have lost their last three home league games, each without scoring – only losing more in a row at this venue in October 2017.[/p]
[p]Preston manager Ryan Lowe returns to Plymouth, a club he managed over 100 times before departing in 2021, desperately trying to keep the Lilywhites’ play-off bid alive. A damaging 2-1 defeat to lowly Stoke last week ended a seven-game unbeaten run (W4, D3) and left them five points adrift of the top-six, although they retain a game in hand on their rivals.[/p]
[p]North End do at least make the lengthy journey south on the back of consecutive Championship away wins, and will aim for a third in succession here – something they’ve not managed since November 2020. It would also hand Preston their first league H2H double over Plymouth since the 1995/96 season after a 2-1 win in September’s reverse fixture.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Before their three-game scoreless run at this venue, Morgan Whittaker had netted in five straight home league games. Preston forward Will Keane has scored six of his last eight league goals before half-time – and has directly contributed to four goals in as many personal H2Hs (G2, A2).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: In league matches involving Plymouth, 15 of the last 19 goals were scored after the break.[/p]