Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Plymouth Argyle will look to continue their pursuit of a top-six spot in the League One table on Tuesday, when they welcome AFC Wimbledon to Home Park.

The Pilgrims made a return to winning ways at the weekend, while their visitors' winless run was stretched to 16 league matches.

Match preview

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Following a strong start to the season and a subsequent dip, Plymouth Argyle reignited a playoff push under Steven Schumacher in the new year, but their hopes have taken a hit in February.

On the back of three straight wins, the Pilgrims fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cambridge United before being beaten by league leaders Rotherham United on home turf.

Schumacher's side made a crucial return to winning ways last time out, though, as they hosted Morecambe, with Conor Grant and Ryan Hardie getting on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.

That saw them maintain eighth spot and move within just two points of the top six, while boasting a game in hand on Sheffield Wednesday and two games in hand on seventh-placed Sunderland.

As a result, they will be keen to make it back-to-back wins on Tuesday as they welcome an AFC Wimbledon side struggling for form.

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The visitors arrive having dropped into a concerning position in the fight for survival in the midst of a dismal run of form.

AFC Wimbledon looked to have turned a corner with victories over Crewe Alexandra and Accrington Stanley either side of a draw with Fleetwood Town late last year, but they have failed to win any of their 16 league games since then.

In that time, Mark Robinson's side have managed to earn nine draws, but they have still dropped worryingly close to the drop zone as a result of their failure to secure a three-point haul.

After draws with fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham, the Dons most recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to promotion-chasing Wigan Athletic, albeit with their situation not getting any worse as every other side in the bottom six also lost.

Nonetheless, Robinson's men now sit just two points above the drop zone, and, with four teams relegated to League Two, they certainly have a major target on their back and will know they need to quickly turn their form around.

Team News

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Schumacher may be tempted to deploy an unchanged Plymouth side after Saturday's crucial win, with James Wilson, James Bolton and Macauley Gillesphey again set to form a back three.

They have several clinical forwards vying for places, and Ryan Hardie boosted his claim for another start with a 12th league goal of the campaign last time out.

Luke Jephcott and Niall Ennis will likely battle for the second spot while wing-backs Conor Grant and Joe Edwards provide more attacking threat from the flanks.

Since the mid-season departure of striker Ollie Palmer, Sam Cosgrove has tended to lead the line, although the Birmingham City loanee is yet to score in the six league games since his January arrival.

Instead, their top scorer has been midfielder Jack Rudoni, who boasts eight goals and three assists in League One action this term.

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Wilson, Bolton, Gillesphey; Edwards, Broom, Houghton, Mayor, Grant; Jephcott, Hardie

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Osew, Kalambayi, Nightingale, Brown; Marsh, Woodyard, Rudoni; McCormick, Cosgrove, Assal

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-0 AFC Wimbledon

As a Plymouth side gunning for the top six welcome a Wimbledon team devoid of any confidence, we can only see one outcome on Tuesday.

The Pilgrims should have enough to send their visitors home empty-handed given the superior quality they boast, particularly in the front line.

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