2023-24 Sky Bet Championship: Week Three – Saturday

Plymouth Argyle host Southampton at Home Park in a huge South Coast derby. 

Currently locked on four points apiece, victory would see either Plymouth or Southampton go top in the table ahead of the mid-afternoon kick-offs.

 

Team News

Kaine Kelser-Hayden is set to return for Plymouth after he missed their goalless draw at Watford with a foot injury.

Brendan Galloway (leg/illness) and Macaulay Gillesphey (groin) both remain absent.

Southampton will be without midfielder, Will Smallbone after he suffered an ankle injury during their 4-4 draw against Norwich lasr weekend.

Kamaldeen Sulemana (muscle) remains sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Plymouth host Southampton at Home Park in a 12:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday 19 August, live on Sky Sports in UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Plymouth have lost just one of their last seven meetings against Southampton (W3, D3, L1).
• Southampton have won just one of their last seven visits to Plymouth (W1, D3, L3).
• Argyle have kept four clean sheets in their last five meetings against Southampton, except for 3-1 home defeat in May 2011.
• Plymouth have lost just one of their last 12 league matches at home (W12, D1, L1).
• Five of Southampton’s six league goals in their opening two league matches this season have been scored by Adam Armstrong (3) and Che Adams (2).

 

Prediction

Despite having only returned to the Championship after a 13-year absence, Plymouth seem to have adapted well with some resilient performances against Huddersfield and Watford, although they did lack end quality against the latter but Conor Hazard was excellent in goal with his saves.

Southampton meanwhile were once again excellent in terms of their attack against Norwich, but their defensive marking was sloppy with far too many errors which has to be tightened up heading into this local derby at Home Park which feels like a fortress for Argyle.

All eyes however will be on Plymouth because this will be their toughest test yet but with strong home form and positive results in their two opening games against ex Premier League opposition, they have little to fear if they can get at the Saints’ defence in a competitive contest.

Prediction: Plymouth 2-2 Southampton

Result: Plymouth 1-2 Southampton