Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
This is one of the two fixtures from the 19th round that were postponed due to bad weather. At the time, Plymouth Argyle might have secured a win, potentially altering Wayne Rooney’s fate, but unfortunately, he is no longer at the helm.
Plymouth Argyle
Kevin Nancekivell took charge of Plymouth Argyle for three matches. His performance was relatively decent, with two draws in the league and a victory over a Premier League club in the FA Cup. However, Plymouth appointed a permanent manager on 12 January. They chose Miron Muslic, a 42-year-old Austrian of Bosnian descent. His only solo managerial experience so far was 2.5 years at Cercle Brugge in Belgium, leaving them in 13th place in the relegation zone. Can he steer his new club out of danger?
Oxford United
His first challenge is not too daunting: facing Oxford United, who are in 17th place themselves and were in the relegation zone just before the New Year. Under new head coach Gary Rowett, Oxford have been doing well, with three consecutive victories followed by a draw against mid-table side Preston North End (1:1). Their last match was in the FA Cup, where they lost to League One side Exeter City (1:3).
Plymouth Argyle vs Oxford United Prediction
A change of manager usually brings positivity and motivation for the players, eager to make a good impression. Furthermore, this is a home match for Plymouth Argyle, against a team with just one win in 12 away matches, making success almost assured. With a bit more caution, we choose a neutral handicap on Plymouth.
