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

Steven Schumacher will be take charge of his first away game as Plymouth Argyle boss when he takes his side to the North East for Saturday's League One encounter with Sunderland.

The hosts are looking to continue a five-game unbeaten league run, which has seen them climb up to fourth place as they head into the weekend only two points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Match preview

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Sunderland will be aiming to collect consecutive victories on Saturday in a bid to challenge the top two in League One.

The Black Cats hosted Oxford United last weekend, but Leon Dajaku's opener was not enough to claim all three points as the visitors secured a point courtesy of Matty Taylor's equaliser.

Although they failed to claim victory in the Oxford clash, that result did not dampen spirits in the Sunderland dressing room as they responded by thumping Morecambe 5-0 in midweek.

Dajaku managed to get himself on the scoresheet once again, and there was a goal each for Ross Stewart and Alex Pritchard, while Nathan Broadhead grabbed himself a brace.

As they look to claim seven points from a possible nine in the last week, Sunderland will draw upon their impressive home form that has seen them win eight of their 10 home league games this season.

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Plymouth will be bidding to end a tumultuous week on a high after they saw Ryan Lowe depart for Preston North End on Tuesday, and the Pilgrims wasted no time in appointing Schumacher as their new boss.

After spending the last couple of seasons as Lowe's assistant, Schumacher's first game in a full-time managerial role took place on Wednesday when he took his side to Milton Keynes Dons.

The first half did not go according to plan as the hosts took the lead through Tennai Watson, but Plymouth salvaged a point in the second period when Conor Grant equalised in the 66th minute.

That result leaves the Pilgrims in fifth position, with only two points separating them and Sunderland, and they could leapfrog their opponents with a victory.

After losing just once in their last nine league away trips, Plymouth will be confident that they can claim a positive result on Saturday.

Team News

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Sunderland are still without Dennis Cirkin, Corry Evans and Denver Hume due to injury issues.

The hosts are also missing the injured duo of Aiden McGeady and Niall Huggins.

After such an impressive display in midweek, Lee Johnson could name an unchanged lineup for Saturday's contest.

Plymouth are likely to keep changes to a minimum, although Danny Mayor may come into the side with Ryan Broom dropping to the bench.

Ryan Hardie has top-scored for the visitors this season, and he will continue his forward partnership with Luke Jephcott on Saturday.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Hoffmann; Wright, Flanagan, Doyle; Gooch, Neil, Winchester, Dajaku; Pritchard, Broadhead, Stewart

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

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Plymouth Argyle

With only two points separating the sides in the table, this is likely to be a closely-fought contest, and although Sunderland are formidable at home, we think that Plymouth may snatch a point from the encounter.

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