There was heartbreak in the last minute for Plymouth Argyle in their last league outing. Portsmouth snatched an equalizer but at the same time, this was a decent result for the Pilgrims. It doesn’t get any easier for Steven Schumacher’s men with Ipswich Town set to visit Home Park next. To add to the drama, the game will take place in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Top of the Table Clash – Plymouth Argyle Look to Success
Plymouth Argyle Are Indestructible at Home
Plymouth Argyle and performing well on home soil go hand-in-hand. This was the case under Ryan Lowe and it has continued into Schumacher’s reign. In their last 12 league outings, Argyle have shipped just five goals. This alone is pretty impressive- but when you add in that all five goals came at the hands of MK Dons on the final day back in late April, it reaches new territory.
That is right, 11 of the last 12 fixtures to grace the Home Park turf saw the hosts shut-out their visitors. Plymouth Argyle themselves found the back of the net in 10 of those, the only outlier being a goalless draw with current Championship side Sunderland. As previously mentioned, a trip to Fratton Park beckoned last time out. After coming from behind thanks to an own goal plus a Niall Ennis strike, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild changed three points into one for the Greens.
Kieran McKenna at #ITFC
31 league games
55% win percentage (17 wins)
18 clean sheets
Only lost 4 games
Top of the table, againKieran’s at the wheel pic.twitter.com/tynixyEWvM
— Renegade Statman Ⓜ️ (@CallMeStat) September 13, 2022
Turning the attentions to Ipswich Town and they have been equally as impressive so far this season. Argyle are third and Pompey are second, whilst the Tractor Boys lead the way. Kieran McKenna’s men are undefeated, winning six and drawing three. Talking of the manager and since making the switch from a background role at Manchester United, he has been blowing teams out of the water.
Plymouth Argyle versus Portsmouth wasn’t the only 2-2 draw in League One on the weekend. Another pair of big hitters in the form of Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich shared the spoils by the same score line at Hillsborough. Late goals were making all the difference everywhere, this one being courtesy of Michael Smith for the former. This was the first slip-up on the road for Ipswich, having beaten Forest Green Rovers, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town and Accrington Stanley.
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Both Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town Will be Weakened
The main reason for this League One fixture being televised is the absence of any Premier League action. England and co are in action over this international break and so the EFL comes to the fore. Both sides are affected by this when it comes to personnel.
Starting first with Plymouth Argyle and the club announced that Finn Azaz has received a call-up for the first time. Azaz has found the back of the net against Barnsley, Peterborough United and Forest Green thus far. He has been duly rewarded with a spot in the Republic of Ireland U21’s squad.
📸 Somehow Finn Azaz just looks right in green, doesn't he? Good luck on Friday, @finnazaz and @FAIreland. #pafc pic.twitter.com/2u3gBQvF4Z
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) September 20, 2022
Ipswich are harder hit by national team selections as they have a double act on their way out. Greg Leigh has received a Jamaica call-up whereas Wes Burns features in the plans of Rob Page, manager of Wales. McKenna has pushed for the match to be re-arranged in the midst of a possible third player set to play internationally but it seems that he will not get his wish.
This mouth-watering tie will take place on Sunday afternoon, the 25th, at 12:30pm, on Sky Sports. There may be no top-flight club football on offer, but this promises to be worth a watch in and amongst the international action.
Main Image Credit Embed from Getty Images
